Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church

Homily for August 8, 2004
Year C - Cycle II
19th Sunday in Ordinary Time 
by Fr. John Carney
Topic: Holy Faith
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Reading II
Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-12
"Brothers and sisters: Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen. Because of it the ancients were well attested."

". . .By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; he went out, not knowing where he was to go. By faith he sojourned in the promised land as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs of the same promise; for he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and maker is God.  By faith he received power to generate, even though he was past the normal age--and Sarah herself was sterile--for he thought that the one who had made the promise was trustworthy. So it was that there came forth from one man, himself as good as dead, descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sands on the seashore."
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There are a lot of subjects in the scriptures today but I think the dominant subject is Holy Faith.  So, I’ll start with a proposition: "If God exists, and if God is good, and if God is powerful, then he must have a plan for us--a plan of salvation.  If life has no ultimate meaning, no eternal meaning, then the life we live is cruel."  Well, we have faith.   We believe that there is an ultimate meaning to our existence.  Like Abraham, we focus not on this life but on the next life.  We are sojourners, travelers, for this brief period of time we call life on earth. We have faith. It is a gift from God.  Santa Fe -- Holy Faith.  What a precious gift that is.  Faith--like that of Abraham and Sarah.

I thought that the scripture was not quite politically correct when they made a comment about Abraham’s age.  They said that he was in his 90’s and they said he was as good as dead.  Fr. Ray Hannigan, my friend in Montana, had three buddies.  They were in their 90’s and I think they were all widowers. I don’t know how that happened, where three men outlived their wives and all three of them were buddies. They played cards together and fished together and they were the best of friends.  One of them died.  He was buried at the cemetery in Libby, Montana.  It was tough on the two survivors.  After the ceremony was finished, they stood at the grave for a long time and were very sad.  Everyone just waited and watched them.  Finally one of them looked at the other and said, “Clyde, you know, there’s not much sense in the two of us going home from here.  We’ll just wait.” 

Faith is confident assurance concerning what you hope for and the convictions about things you do not see.  This life is not all there is and we are searching for a better heavenly home. So we have faith. How do we know how much faith we have and how do we know the measure of our faith?  I think the answer is given by Christ when he said, "Do not live in fear little flock, it has pleased the Father to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:32)  Fear is the opposite of faith to the extent that if you are afraid and anxious--then to that extent you lack faith.  Conversely, the greater your faith, the less fear and anxiety you experience.  Having said that, there is no question that a significant number of people suffer from anxiety--from a physiological or physiological nature.  I’m not talking about that type of anxiety.  I’m talking about the majority of people who suffer from fear and anxiety because they’re not living their faith to the fullest.   I know because I hear it in confession all the time.  There is so much fear and so much anxiety in our lives.  I frankly think it’s an indictment against us, to some degree, that we don’t truly trust God and his holy providence. Fear is so destructive. 

There are so many proverbs on fear.  The English say, “All fear is bondage.”  That’s true.  If you are afraid you are imprisoned.  “Fear is greater than danger,” the Swedes say. The French say, “He who fears to suffer, suffers from fear.” Let me repeat that, “He who fears to suffer, suffers from fear.”   That’s true.  I'll ask, "What are you afraid of?" "Well, I’m afraid of what might happen."  Someone last night said, “Well, today is the tomorrow that you were afraid of yesterday and it turned out OK” You are going to suffer and I’m going to suffer. That’s part of life. When we suffer, we are going to be miserable but why be miserable now. Wait for it, it’ll come.  “It is folly to fear what one cannot avoid.”  That makes sense. Anyone here not going to die?  Why are we so afraid of death if we have great faith in Christ and his love for us?  I like this one.  It’s the Czech proverb, “He who dies from fear is not worth a place in the churchyard.”  So, how’s your faith?  Another way of asking that is how much fear and anxiety do you experience in your life or are you at peace.  Peace is the gift of faith.  Peace is a part of faith.  I'm speaking of the inner peace that Christ gives that the world cannot give and the world cannot take away.  It’s the peace that God gives you.

Around us are so many examples of great faith and great peace.  We’ve been praying for many weeks now for one of our parishioners. She’s in Cleveland now recovering from a second surgery.  We’re not sure if she‘s going to make it.  She called me and we spoke about whether or not she should have the surgery.  She said, “You know Father, I really don’t care one way or another.  Whatever.” She says, “I wish John would come and take me home.”   That’s her beloved husband who died a few years back.  When she said that, there was no self-pity, no great sadness. Just a fervent prayer--a wish to die. 

Tony’s sister Celeste is in Sombrillo Nursing Home now.  She’s 91.  I visit her about once a week or so.  I don’t know about you but I don’t want to end up in a nursing home.  Every time I go, I say, “No Lord, no.  I don’t want to be here.  I want to die at my peak and just go.”  I know I speak for most of us.  You know it’s not the best life.  It’s a wonderful facility, Sombrillo but I don’t want to live there. Anyway, I visited Celeste last night and I said, “Celeste, how are you?” Her Yonkers New York accent replies, "Very good Father, very good.”   “How are your friends?”   “Wonderful Father.”  I said, “How’s the food?”  “Oh, it’s delicious.”  I visited a nursing home that day and I had all sorts of stuff on my mind.  I was anxious. I preach this stuff but I don’t live it very well.  I’m just as messed up as you.  I left there feeling free.  She inspired me. 

There is another lady there who is 101.  Her name is Amalia.  I don’t know her last name.  I always visit her because she is such a blessing and she always gives me a blessing.  She has the same answer every time.  I say, “Como esta Amalia?”  She says, “Muy bien, Padre.  Estoy muy contente a con mi Dios et mi familia.”  I am very content with my God and my family.  She can’t see.   She can’t stand up.  She can’t read.  She doesn’t hear that well.  She probably has no appetite.  And yet, "Estoy muy contente . . ."   I am very content with my God and my family.  The Old Spanish custom was for mothers and fathers to bless their families.   They had this formula and it would take a minute or so.  How many of you know those old blessings?  I hope you have taken the time to pass them on to your sons and daughters. Anyway, Amalia is so happy and she has nothing.  She’s a great model and you know people like that.  She’s not afraid.  Why?  Because she has faith.

The writer Harry Fosdick wrote, “Fear imprisons, faith liberates; fear paralyzes, faith empowers; fear disheartens, faith encourages; fear sickens, faith heals; fear makes useless, faith makes serviceable. Most of all fear puts hopelessness at the heart of life while faith rejoices in its God.” 

Finally, this prayer from St. Francis De Sales,

Have no fear for what tomorrow may bring.  The same loving God who cares for you today will take care of you tomorrow and every day.  God will either shield you from suffering or give you unfailing strength to bear it.  Be at peace then.  Put aside all anxious thought and imagination.  We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.