Difficulties should fire up our faith

THIS is the precious lesson we can learn from the story of

the blind man Bartimaeus. (cfr Lk 18,35-43) Our difficulties and

problems, including our failures and sins, can be good occasions to

get close to God and to draw his mercy and grace to keep us moving on

with renewed spirit.

             God is always with us. He continues to guide us all

throughout our life. As creator and savior, he is actually shaping our

life. Anything that happens in our life, including the negative ones,

serves some purpose in God’s loving providence over us.

  

            Our reaction when we are faced with big problems and

difficulties, including those that seem to be a lifelong predicament,

should be like that of Bartimaeus—full of faith even if certain

conditions appear to hinder and cool down that faith.

  

            In the end, Bartimaeus got back his sight, and Christ told

him clearly that it was his strong faith that did that. “Receive your

sight,” Christ told him, “your faith has saved you.” (Lk 18,42)

  

            We have to do everything to strengthen our faith and to

keep it burning always, especially in moments of difficulties and

trials. Our reaction when faced with unavoidable trials is to fire up

our faith instead of wavering in it.

  

            Like Bartimaeus, let us always be humble and simple,

acknowledging our impotence in the face of all the difficulties, and

run directly to God. Let’s not waste time delaying and hesitating in

this reaction, held hostage by some fears, doubts or a misplaced sense

of shame.

   

            Instead, we should use our weaknesses, our difficulties

and mistakes as reasons and urges to go to Christ, so we can echo what

St. Paul once said: “For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Cor

12,11)

  

            Let’s remember that Christ’s delight is to forgive and to

help us in any way. He is not scandalized by any of our sins, no

matter how grave they are. In fact, in a sense, he is more attracted

to us when we are into some predicament. Our sins, difficulties and

trials are like magnets to Christ’s precious attention and help. He is

all too willing to bear them for us.

  

            Of course, we are human, and we cannot deny that we will

always have our weaknesses. In spite of our desire to have faith, we

may still struggle to make that faith alive and operative. That’s when

we should repeat what the father of a possessed boy told Christ: “I

believe, but help my unbelief.” (Mk 9,24)

   

            Yes, there are moments and even extended periods of

darkness and dryness in our life of faith. These should not surprise

us. They go with the territory. But they are no reason for us to doubt

God’s love for us. We just have to learn how to hold on.

   

            We have to help one another in living our faith to the

fullest. When we see someone waver in his faith, let us be quick in

helping him by word and example. We have to pray and offer sacrifices

for him.

  

            If we have the chance, let’s be generous in giving

catechesis especially to the young ones. We have to do this with more

determination since we cannot deny the fact that today, the young ones

are bombarded with many distracting elements that undermine their

faith.

  

            We have to reach out in a more aggressive but constructive

manner, knowing how to adapt ourselves to the way the young ones are

these days. This is a chance for us to be creative!