The importance of faith

In today’s first reading, Hebrews 4: 1-5, 11, St. Paul tells us that “the word that…[the people] heard did not profit them, for they were not united in faith with those who listened.”  When we listen to someone but have no faith in them or in what they are saying, we do not hear, we do not enter into the rest or experience the peace necessary to recognize God’s presence or receive God’s message.  For instance,  how often do we recognize God in the sunset/sunrises, in the changing of the seasons, in  the wonders of the universe, in the creation of a child, or in any event, those deemed  good or those deemed “bad” of our lives. Paul reminds us that God’s “works were accomplished at the foundation of the world.” Following the creation of all that is, humans and beasts alike, plants and all living things, God declared that “It was good, very good.”  “[O]n the seventh day” God rested “from all of his works.”  Peacefully God continues to sustain all of His creation and intervenes in the lives of billions and billions of people, inviting all to continuously turn to Him, to rest in Him, to know His loving care.  When we “rest” in God in this way, we are at peace no matter what challenges or difficulties, what evil or setbacks  we encounter in life. My mother, who died at age 50 of cancer, would always say: “What would we do without faith.”   Without faith we actually deprive ourselves of the rest that only God can give. So I ask the Lord to increase my faith and yours!