Faith brings us to perfection in Jesus Christ

Saturday of the 6th week of Eastertide

John 16:23-28

The gospel today offers us a lively faith far than we can ever imagine.  It is faith just as Jesus says, "Anything you ask from the Father he will grant in my name."

It's been two months since we've been praying that God may remove the virus from the world.  It also has happened in our lives that though we prayed, our prayers were not granted.  But we never faltered in that faith.  We may have doubted sometimes, but the faith was never removed from our hearts.  Instead, we were taught to be steadfast in our faith, forever trusting the Lord that things would always turn out better in the end. 

The faith that God has given us through Jesus in the Spirit call us:

First, to continue being steadfast in the faith amidst trials as if it is being purged in fire or pruned to perfection.  Faith itself is the gift that no one can take away from.

Second, even in the midst of trials, that faith makes us witnesses of God's steadfast love to others.

Third, faith, pruned to perfection, enables us to receive the fullness of life.  Remember the life of the martyrs on earth.  Their blood brought that faith to perfection, enabling them to receive the crown of everlasting life.  There is nothing else we need except God alone.

Faith is God's gift to us.  In the midst of trials, we hold on to that faith, believing that in the end God will saves us in Jesus Christ and make us perfect.  It's all we need.