From the Desk of Fr. Schaller - August 7, 2022

“Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen.” This short explanation of faith is
taken from the second reading – the Letter to the Hebrews – from today’s Mass. The glossary of the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) gives an expanded definition. Faith is described as “both a gift of God and a human act by which the believer gives personal adherence to God who invites his response, and freely assents to the whole truth that God has revealed. It is this revelation of God which the Church proposes for our belief, and which we profess in the Creed, celebrate in the sacraments, live by right conduct that fulfills the twofold commandment of charity (as specified in the Ten Commandments), and respond to in our prayer of faith. Faith is both a theological virtue given by God as grace, and an obligation which flows from the first commandment of God.” (CCC, 2nd Ed., pp. 878,879; see also paragraph #26, 142, 150, 1814, and 2087). To demonstrate that faith is a gift from God that demands our response, the writer of the letter to the Hebrews recounts how Abraham was called by God and responded in faith. Do you see your faith as a great gift from God? How have you responded to this gift which God has entrusted to you? Recall the Lord’s words in today’s Gospel: “Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.” (Luke 12:48)

May God bless you!
Fr. Schaller 

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