Meditation
for Saturday the 28th Week in Ordinary Time, Year B
(Rm
4:13, 16-18; Lk 12:8-12)
We are
justified by faith! St Paul draws further example from Abraham. This time he proves
his point with God’s promise to Abraham and his descendants. The promise that they
should inherit the world did not come through the law but through “The righteousness
of faith.” “That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest
on grace and be guaranteed to all his descendants; not only to the adherents of
the law but also to those who share the faith of Abraham.” In this way, Abraham
became the father of many nations, either Jews or Gentiles, who came to believe.
He continued to believe in God and trust that He would fulfil His promise, even
when it seemed there was no hope. “In hope he believed against hope...”
The righteousness of faith is a light to the world. Whoever allows this light to shine before men will be acknowledged before the angels in heaven. This is the testimony we bear to the world that glories in self-righteousness. The test of faith comes often because the world opposes the righteousness of faith in Christ Jesus through the working of the Holy Spirit. “For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.” So, we are justified by faith; not by our efforts for that would be self-righteousness. The Holy Spirit is the advocate; He leads us forward and bestows graciousness to our efforts to the glory of God. Amen.
St Gérard Majella, pray for us. Amen.
Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Saturday October 16th, 2021.
