7TH WEEK OF EASTER

Do you believe now? 

Jesus had been “talking plainly, and not in any figure of speech” (John 16:29). So the disciples were coming to understand more fully who he was: “We believe that you came from God” (16:30). But despite this declaration of faith, Jesus knew that they would de-sert him when the soldiers came to arrest him. At that moment of crisis, their faith would fail them.

The truth is, faith is not static. That’s a good thing because it can keep growing in us—as it did with the disciples after Pentecost. But our faith can also be shaken in trying times—as it was when the disciples abandoned Jesus. Or our faith can become so lukewarm that it has no real impact on our lives.

So how can we keep our faith growing and not waning? Let’s continue with the example of the disciples:

Remember God’s word. Long after he had departed from them, the disciples must have recalled Jesus’ words. For example, when they were facing persecution, they must have remembered that they were among those who are “blessed” (Matthew 5:10). To keep our faith strong, we need to continually reflect on Jesus’ words in the Scriptures and treasure them as they did.

Rely on the Holy Spirit. For the disciples, receiving the power of the Holy Spirit didn’t end on Pentecost. Again and again, they were filled with the Spirit so that they could persevere in their mission (Acts 4:8, 31; 13:9). We too can keep the flame of faith burning brightly in us by asking the Spirit to fill us with his power and grace each day.

Look to our brothers and sisters. The disciples banded together and lived a communal life (Acts 2:42). Just as they did, we need our fellow believers to be a witness and encouragement to us. We also need their prayers to strengthen us in difficult moments.

Faith is a journey with lots of ruts in the road, so we shouldn’t be surprised when we stumble. But by following the example of the first disciples—recalling God’s word, asking for the grace of the Holy Spirit, and depending on our brothers and sisters—we can count on our faith to get stronger with each day.

“Jesus, I believe in you. Increase my faith.”

Acts 19:1-8
Psalm 68:2-7
John 16:29-33