26 January 2007

The genealogy of faith

One of my favorite passages from Sacred Scripture was proclaimed at Mass this morning for the Memorial of Saints Timothy and Titus:

"I yearn to see you again, recalling your tears, so that I may be filled with joy, as I recall your sincere faith that first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and that I am confident lives also in you" (II Timothy 1:4-5).
Have you ever considered how you came to receive the Faith? Most likely you did not simply stumble upon it on day in the woods; somebody first spoke it to you: "And how can they believe in him of whom they have not heard?" (Romans 10:14).

Somebody who loved you and desired only your good shared the faith with you that they in turn had received from somebody else. This genealogy of faith can - at least in theory - be traced back to those men and women who saw Jesus walk by the sea and head him speak to the crowds on the mount.

I urge you then today: thank the person(s) who first shared the faith with you and tell somebody that you love of Jesus Christ. Offer a special prayer today for those handed the faith on to you. What greater gift can we give?

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