“Living with a courageous faith, that refuses to be dimmed by the darkest nights!”
(Based on Jas 1:1-11 and Mk 8:11-13 – Monday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)
In the dark days of World War II, Corrie ten Boom stood strong as a shining example of faith and bravery.
A Dutch Christian, she bravely stood against the Nazis…
… hiding Jews in her home.
But when their secret refuge was discovered, Corrie ended up in a harsh concentration camp.
Amidst the relentless torment, Corrie’s faith burned brilliantly!
Confronted by a former tormentor, a Nazi guard who once embodied cruelty, Corrie did the unthinkable…
… she extended a hand of forgiveness.
Corrie embodied the Divine Grace she fiercely believed in…
… transforming a place of hatred into a sanctuary of redemption.
We are being reminded, that…
… even in the darkest times, our faith can be a bright light!
… even in the bleakest moments, we need to live with a courageous faith, that refuses to be dimmed by the darkest nights!
The readings of the Day, call for a greater persistence of faith…
… and the need to stand firm in faith, even amid life’s trials!
St James begins his letter with a bold proclamation of his personal faith:
“James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ…” (Jas 1:1)
We learn about the great encounter of St James with the Risen Lord, as St Paul recounts in 1 Cor 15:7…
… and this encounter with the Risen Lord, would have been a pivotal moment, for James to deepen his faith in Christ!
It is this deep and fervent faith that makes St James – with solid conviction – to exhort the people, to have faith with three important dimensions:
- Having Faith, even in moments of trials
“Whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy…
… because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance!” (Jas 1:2-3)
Life often crushes us with pains and sufferings.
But a person of faith, allows “the ‘boat’ of his trust in God, to ‘float over’ the waters of troubles!”
- Having a Faith that is firm and single-minded
“Ask in faith, never doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind…” (Jas 1:6)
We often say that we have faith…
… yet we tend to easily get carried away, in moments of trials – with doubts and discouragement!
We are being reminded that “when you trust in God – you trust Him, not just when you feel it, but also when all feelings are dried!”
In the words of St Therese of Child Jesus – the Little Flower – “Knowing that beyond the dark clouds my Sun is shining…!”
- Having a Faith that is rooted in humility
“Let the believer who is lowly, boast in being raised up…
… and the rich in being brought low
… because the rich will disappear like a flower in the field!” (Jas 1:9-10)
True faith always leads one to live in humility
We are made to realize that even amid accomplishments of life, it is purely the Mercy of God that lifts us up
The Gospel presents Jesus clearly declaring the need to “go beyond external signs”… (Mk 8:12)
…. instead, to ‘have a faith that reads the signs of times, and cherishes deeper trust in the Providence of God.’
St Mark, in fact, presents the lamenting expression of Jesus, when He encounters people who choose to associate their faith with external signs
“And Jesus sighed deeply in His spirit…” (Mk 8:12)
We are called to have Faith…
… in moments of trials
… that is firm and single-minded
… that is rooted in humility
… and that which goes beyond external signs!
Life may often take us through dark days
But let us “live with a courageous faith, that refuses to be dimmed by the darkest nights!”
Let us remember that “our faith is not just a shield; it is a conquering force that transforms even the bleakest moments into stories of triumph!”
God Bless! Live Jesus!
📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
LIFE IN CHRIST – THE COMMUNAL CHARACTER OF THE HUMAN VOCATION
The principle of subsidiarity is opposed to all forms of collectivism.
It sets limits for state intervention.
It aims at harmonizing the relationships between individuals and societies.It tends toward the establishment of true international order. (CCC # 1885)
Reflection Capsules 