Thursday, 19 October 2017

A FAITH THAT JUSTIFIES

PRAYER PAUSE  


Friday 20 October 2017


A FAITH THAT JUSTIFIES


Pause. Enter into the stillness of God within.


Reading: “Abraham put his faith in God, and this faith was considered as justifying him.” (Romans 4:1-8)



Reflection. I always find the word ‘justify’ in Paul a bit awkward. We normally use the word to explain or prove something said or done. We ‘justify’ ourselves. Yet it is hard to think of a better word to explain what happens when we are stretched into living in faith. All creation exists for the sake of humanity but humanity by itself hasn’t done very well. We admire our achievements – whether they be the three tiered Roman aquaduct at Arles or the mobile phone in my pocket - but often they are built on the oppression of others. It is faith that has transformed humanity and opened up unimaginable horizons. Faith has enabled humanity to become “perfect” – something we were made for from the beginning. Faith caps the whole purpose of our struggles. We may feel very far from being perfect – both as individuals or as human society. But we have a clear agenda, through faith.


Prayer. Lord, may we become people of deep faith, ready to stretch our powers to reach for the justice and  perfection you inspire in our hearts. Amen.

































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