We are called to be a people of faith. We are called to put our faith in God. But, it is not a blind faith. Rather, it is rooted in the experience of a God who loves and cares for us. We see that throughout Salvation History, that is, the history of God saving us, his people. First, there was Abraham, our Father in Faith. The second reading today recalls his story. God called him in his old age, promising a dramatic change in his life, a new season of prosperity and fruitfulness in a new land. Abraham put his faith in God and left his home in obedience to God’s command. And, he began to receive what was promised, the realization of what he hoped for and his faith and trust in God grew.
Abraham’s life experiences were evidence enough for him never to lose trust in God’s providence. As God continued to provide, Abraham’s trust grew and deepened. Thus, his faith was a gift from God, who chose Abraham to be the Father in Faith to all his people, gave him the son he had longed for and settled him in the land that God had promised to him.
Generations later, Abraham’s descendants left the Promised Land due to a famine that struck it, moving to Egypt where they received food and land from Joseph, Abraham’s great grandson. God cared for them through the wise and generous care of Joseph. But, after Joseph and the Pharaoh who knew him died, they become slaves in Egypt. They continued to recall how God provided for Abraham and what had been promised to them as their inheritance. With this evidence, they trusted in God and had courage as they waited to see his justice play out. Like Abraham, they obeyed God’s instructions, albeit imperfectly. Thus, as our first reading from the Book of Wisdom tells us, their households were spared on the night of Passover as their adversaries were driven to surrender. Now they, too, had seen the realization of what was hoped for and put their faith and trust in God; although not always.
The Israelites returned to the land God promised, led by the pillar of fire by night and the pillar of cloud by day – the sign of God’s presence in their midst. But, by the time of Jesus they found themselves under Roman occupation. Then, the disciples had the privilege of seeing and knowing the Messiah, fully realizing what previous generations had only hoped for. Jesus assured them that they could be confident in God’s desire to fulfill his promises to them. As we hear in today’s gospel, Jesus says, “Do not be afraid any longer, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom.” That kingdom, the true Promised Land – heaven – would be opened to them by the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Indeed, God fulfilled his promises through Christ in ways the Israelites never would have expected.
As God provided for Abraham, the Israelites, and the people of Jesus’ time, we can trust him to continue to provide for us. We are called to be like the vigilant servants in today’s Gospel passage, ever ready for the realization of what we hope for. Our waiting will not be in vain. Just like Abraham and his descendants, however, we need to remain faithful to God even in our struggles. After all, they are given us to test us in our resolve to put our faith and trust in God alone.
The Eucharist is our nourishment while we wait as vigilant servants. It is the promise and foretaste of the heavenly banquet and eternal union we are offered. As evidence of things we have yet to see, Jesus’ self-gift in the Blessed Sacrament grows and deepens our faith and trust if we receive him with love and await his return like the servants in today’s gospel, ready for the Lord when he comes.