ACT IN FAITH (09-22-12)

Luke 8:21

“My mother and brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it.”

I was surprised.  My father once visited me in my office because he was in the area at that time.  I went to the lobby and introduced him to the receptionist.  We then went up to my room and along the way, I introduced him to my co-workers.  He smiled and felt happy knowing that I work in a good company.  After he left, my colleagues would remark, “Mas pogi pala sa iyo ang father mo” (“Your father is more handsome than you.”).  And I immediately remarked, “at mas mabait sa akin yun” (“and he is nicer and more kind-hearted than me).  He was the greatest father on earth.

It is even greater to know that we also have the greatest father in Heaven.  All of creation is in God and is held together by Him.  As Scripture puts it, “In him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28).  If this is true of all creation, how much truer for us, His children.

If the Father is aware and concerned for a tiny sparrow, all the more is He about us.  No one can harm us without His permission and His willing it.  He knows each hair on our head.  God’s divine providence cares for us.  We are His beloved children for whom He sent His Son to suffer and die for us.

In return, we must act in our faith.  We must acknowledge Him as our Lord, and our Father.  We must show this not just by praising Him or glorifying Him.  We must exemplify the value of Jesus’ teaching by our behavior and our actions:  the modesty with which we act, the charity with which we speak, the kindly acts of service we render to others, the moderation with which we eat and drink, the meekness with which we contain our anger, the self-mastery with which we control our sensual passions, the aversion we have for telling lies.  We walk our talk!

Let others know Him because of you.  Teach others to know Him.  Acknowledge Him before others, so He may acknowledge you in Heaven.

Almighty Father, thank You for my life on this earth, however challenging or not.  We know that You will forever be with us, protecting us, so we should never be afraid.  We praise You and acknowledge Your great power.

Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.