Faith, A Divine Gift

Friday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time

September 24, 2021

Readings:
    Reading I: Haggai 2:1-9
    Responsorial Psalm: 43:1, 2, 3, 4
    Gospel: Lk 9:18-22

Asking questions is one expression of curiosity. I wonder if Jesus was being curious when He asked His disciples, "Who do people say I am?" Was He interested in what others, including His disciples, knew about Him? Or is there something more than curiosity in His question? I am curious.

Certainly, it was not out of curiosity nor out of ignorance that Jesus asked those questions, for He knew all things, including what others thought about Him. Instead, it was to provoke His disciples to ponder on the level of their faith. He first asked about what people were saying, then directed that same question to them, "Who do you say that I am?" In other words, are you following what people think about me? Or do you have a more intuitive answer? What do you really think about who I am? By asking this question, Jesus allowed them to determine whether their faith stems from what they hear others say, the human level, or from their personal encounter with Jesus, the divine level.

Peter’s answer, "The Christ of God," clearly expressed that his level of faith is of divine origin. Jesus ascertained this in the parallel Gospel of Matthew. He said that Peter was blessed because this came not from any flesh and blood but from the heavenly Father. Peter’s faith, then, is a divine gift.

At the human level, we maintain a healthy sense of curiosity to learn more about our faith. On the divine level, let us remember that first and foremost, faith is a gift of the Holy Spirit who assists us in contemplating divine things that strengthen our union with God.

Fr. Joel R. Lasutaz, SSS

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