By Faith
Faith is such a misunderstood word in our modern world. It isn't magical thinking, or even a "positive attitude." It is the soul forming way of life that changes us forever.
I’m a big fan of hero stories. That means I’m pretty much like every other human who has ever lived! The whole genre of hero stories is an academic subject taught in universities forever.
The human race's “hero” myths are too numerous to list. This alone proves that the story of the hero is central to how humans understand our world. I’m reminded of an old C.S. Lewis quote about dragons and heroes:
“Since it is so likely that they will meet cruel enemies, let them at least have heard of brave knights and heroic courage. Otherwise you are making their destiny not brighter but darker.”
Life is filled with struggles, and one of the main jobs of parents is to properly equip their kids to navigate the difficulties of life and to succeed in living well. Of course, the devil is in the true meaning of “living well.” And that’s where the Faith comes in.
Look at our lesson today from Hebrews 11:17-31:
Brethren, by faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was ready to offer up his only son, of whom it was said, "Through Isaac shall your descendants be named." He considered that God was able to raise men even from the dead; hence, figuratively speaking, he did not receive him back. By faith Isaac invoked future blessings on Jacob and Esau. By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in worship over the head of his staff. By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones. By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful; and they were not afraid of the king's edict. By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of the Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to share ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered abuse suffered for the Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he looked to the reward. By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king; for he endured as seeing him who is invisible. By faith he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, so that the Destroyer of the first-born might not touch them. By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as if on dry land; but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned. By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given friendly welcome to the spies.
This famous passage has been called “The Roll Call of Faith” in Hebrews. It lists the heroes of the Old Testament and how they remained faithful despite the challenges they faced.
The key phrase repeated over and over again is “By faith…”
But what does this passage reveal about the nature of this faith that kept these great people faithful to God as they faced terrible temptations, threats to their lives, and unfair treatment by those who mistreated them?
First, Faith isn’t merely intellectual. Every hero mentioned here had a transformed life to the point that, in the face of terrible and terrifying events, they stood firm. Too many reduce Faith to some intellectual precepts that we all agree on, but history is filled with people who said the right words when times were good and folded into apostasy when their lives were threatened. That’s not the Faith mentioned in this passage.
Second, Faith is eschatological. That means these heroes were able to stay faithful BECAUSE the Faith gave them sight into the future! These heroes knew that the temporary difficulties were all going to be undone by the ultimate victory of God over the present difficult times. They kept their focus on the Ultimate End and stayed strong.
Finally, Faith is ALWAYS about Jesus Christ! Just look at what St. Paul says of the great hero Moses: “He considered abuse suffered for the Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt…” Everyone of these heroes believed FORWARD onto the coming of the Christ, and now we believe still on Christ, and that forms FAITH within us!
The Faith that moves these heroes to their lofty place in this Roll Call of Faith is that transformed life brought about by having an intimate relationship with Jesus through Prayer, Fasting, and Generosity. This proves the everlasting truth of “Faith is as Faith DOES.”
St. Agatha the Martyr was a beautiful young woman in the mid-3rd century in Sicily. She was determined to refuse the advances of a local leader who wanted her for his wife. She was dedicated to her life of monastic prayer and dedication to Christ. This evil man had her tortured and killed for her faithfulness, and she faced all of this cruelty because of the transformative power of the Faith she regularly practiced.
Today, do you have Faith? Perhaps the better question is, “Is your life formed, informed, and transformed by Faith?” The Normal Orthodox Life doesn't depend on how much information you acquire but how much you allow the love of Jesus Christ to change you every day!
P.S. Let the Church be clad today with royal purple in a splendid covering dyed in the chaste and hallowed blood of Martyr Agatha and let it now cry: Rejoice, O you boast of Catania.
