Faith Formation and Confirmation Students: Day 13-March 29, 2022 | Jesus Restores Sight to Bartimaeus, Mark 10:46-52 >>>CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT ONLINE PRAYER CHALLENGE<<<
In his encyclical Redemptoris Missio, Pope Saint John Paul II writes, “The ultimate purpose of mission is to enable people to share in the communion which exists between the Father and the Son.” [1] There is a communion which exists between the Father and the Son. The Father and the Son live in deep relationship with each other. This communion and relationship of love between them is a person, the Holy Spirit. With the gift of salvation, Jesus enables us to share in His communion with the Father.
In the Old Testament, God reveals Himself as a relationship of giving and receiving love that overflows in a tender love for man that is both fatherly and spousal.
Kierkegaard, in his work about the virtue of faith, writes “There were countless generations who knew the story of Abraham by heart, word for word, but how many did it render sleepless?” [1] The faith of Abraham is absolutely heroic. A pondering of the witness of Abraham is convicting–it can keep one up at night, opening our hearts more and more to receive the fullness of the gift of faith that Jesus has for us.
A powerful prayer can be declaring in faith the truth of who God is through the words of scripture. The devil, through speaking lies, tempts us to doubt and distrust God. By proclaiming in faith the truth of God, lies about Him lose their stronghold in our hearts—trust in God is restored and strengthened. Declaring in faith the truth of God even brings about real transformation in the circumstances of our lives—it aligns us to God’s will and unleashes the truth of God’s promises.