Faith in God - Homily - Presentation of the Lord

Feast of the Presentation of the Lord (readings)

“Faith is faith is faith. God can only be known by faith.” Faith in God cannot be processed or reasoned by a world focused on the importance of power, possessions, and prestige. It is all about faith and faith in God is beyond worldly things. (Rohr, Richard; Radical Grace, “Faith is Faith is Faith”)

It is the faith of Mary and Joseph bringing Jesus to the temple. They had nothing but faith. They had no power, possessions, or prestige. They were poor. They had no ox or lamb to sacrifice only two young pigeons. In faith, they brought what was dearest to their hearts to God, the most precious child Jesus.

It is the faith of Simeon and Anna devoted to God. They prayed devoutly for the coming of Lord’s Christ.

Simeon’s faith came from a promise of God through the Holy Spirit. The reason for this old man’s faith could not be processed or reasoned by the world.  It was a faith born in his heart. A faith that moved him, spoke to him, and gave him life.

Anna being a widow probably had no power, possessions, or prestige. She spent day and night in the temple worshiping God by fasting and prayer. Seeing the child, by faith she prophesied about Jesus to all looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. 

“Faith is faith is faith. God can only be known by faith.” (Rohr)

Faith is not an act of will or intellect. It requires the whole self to center all we are in God.  Faith makes God our ultimate concern. (Raschko, Michael B  A Christian Understanding of Human Nature)

Friends, how do we present our Godly faith? How do we present Jesus Christ to others, who gave all for us?

Faith brings us to mass, adoration, and this first Friday liturgy. In faith, voices join together to pray. In faith, we receive the Holy Sacrament, the body and blood of Christ. Faith expresses our love for God and love for others.

Faith is the trust that our very being, everything and everyone we love, and all we have given our lives to, lie in God’s hands.(Raschko) “Faith is faith is faith. God can only be known by faith.” (Rohr )  

In this world, many people have forgotten this.