"increase our faith" (lk 17:5)
"Faith is confident assurance concerning what we hope for, and conviction about things we do not see." —Hebrews 11:1
Faith is confidence, assurance, conviction. "Because of faith the men of old were approved by God" (Heb 11:2). Without faith, we don't understand the origins of creation or life, for "what is visible came into being through the invisible" (Heb 11:3). "Without faith, it is impossible to please" God (Heb 11:6).
Examples of faith are:
- Abel offering sacrifice acceptable to God (Heb 11:4),
- Enoch being "pleasing to God" and being taken to heaven without dying (Heb 11:5),
- Noah building the ark (Heb 11:7),
- Abraham going forth "not knowing where he was going" (Heb 11:8),
- Sarah at the age of ninety conceiving a child (Heb 11:11),
- Abraham being willing to sacrifice His son Isaac (Heb 11:17),
- Moses' parents "disregarding the king's edict" (Heb 11:23),
- Moses wishing "to be ill-treated along with God's people rather than enjoy the fleeting rewards of sin" (Heb 11:25),
- the Israelites crossing the Red Sea (Heb 11:29), and
- Israel bringing down the walls of Jericho (Heb 11:30).
"What more shall I recount? I have no time to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, who by faith conquered kingdoms, did what was just, obtained the promises; they broke the jaws of lions, put out raging fires, escaped the devouring sword; though weak they were made powerful, became strong in battle..." (Heb 11:32-34).
Prayer: Father, "increase our faith" (Lk 17:5).
Promise: "A cloud came, overshadowing them, and out of the cloud a voice: 'This is My Son, My Beloved. Listen to Him.' " —Mk 9:7
Praise: Theresa's newborn survived despite serious health issues and amazed the doctors. Praise You, Lord, for Your healing mercy.
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 12, 2016
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