the reward of faith
"I will make your reward very great." —Genesis 15:1
God had asked Abram to leave his homeland at age seventy-five and follow Him to an unknown land. Abram did as God asked. After he had spent "some time" in that land (Gn 15:1), God unexpectedly promised him a great reward (Gn 15:1).
The Lord often speaks of the rewards of obedient faith:
- "Do not, then, surrender your confidence; it will have great reward" (Heb 10:35).
- "Look out that you...do not lose what you have worked for; you must receive your reward in full" (2 Jn 8).
- "God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him by your service, past and present, to His holy people" (Heb 6:10).
- "Your Father Who sees in secret will repay you" (Mt 6:4).
- "Be glad and rejoice, for your reward is great in heaven" (Mt 5:12).
- "He rewards those who seek Him" (Heb 11:6).
What kind of reward will we receive for our obedient faith and loving service of God? Some indications are found elsewhere in Scripture: "My heart is set on fulfilling Your statutes; they are my reward forever" (Ps 119:112, RNAB). "My reward is with the Lord, my recompense is with my God" (Is 49:4; 62:11).
Near the end of his life, St. Thomas Aquinas had a vision and heard the Lord ask him, "What reward do you desire for all your service to Me?" Thomas responded, "None but Thyself, O Lord." With St. Thomas, may we set our hearts on this greatest Reward.
Prayer: Father, You are my Prize, my Delight, my Reward!
Promise: "Glory in His holy name; rejoice, O hearts that seek the Lord!" —Ps 105:3
Praise: Albert prayed for his grandmother to return to the Church for thirty years. She returned on her deathbed.
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 24, 2018
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