November 15, 2005
“When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith upon the earth?”
It is not unlike Saint Luke to present to his reader an important question. They are not rhetorical, but real and presented as a provocation for us to think and to act. You should know some of them: “Who do the people say the Son of Man is?” or “Who is this that even the wind and the waves obey Him?” Unlike this morning’s newspaper, God’s Word can never fade and become brittle, and the questions it presents never become old and outdated.
Let us then face the question and attempt to answer it. Will Jesus find faith when He returns? If you get caught up with the “when” and “how” of this passage, you’ll never look at what’s most important – the “what” – and here, the “what” is faith. So we ask, what is faith? Faith is neither a feeling nor an adherence to a set of beliefs. Rather, it is a personal response made possible by God’s gift we call grace. It can he likened to fire which makes us glow, illuminating the world and making it beautiful. Look into the eyes of a person whose best friend is Jesus and you’ll know exactly what I mean.
To compare faith to fire is helpful since we well know the characteristics and qualities of this mysterious element. Indeed, most have some memory or personal experience which may evoke either enjoyable or even frightful memories. While one remembers quiet summer nights sitting by a campfire, another recalls the destruction and even death in a house fire. We all are aware that children are immediately enamored with a simple flame and excitedly ask to extinguish even a tiny candle. This is the reason why their instinctual attraction is acknowledged on every pack of matches: “Keep out of the reach of children”.
Like a flame, faith is readily seen and felt, especially when life is cold and dark. Unlike its dutiful twin sister “religion”, faith is alive and at times unpredictable. Though people sometimes confuse the two, it is faith which God looks for, for although imitated – it is never matched. For example, when a couple enjoys a romantic candle lit dinner for two, the table is not set with electric candles, even when the bulbs are delicately shaped like a flame. Almost everyone enjoys a toasted marshmallow, but over a kitchen stove? Nothing compares to faith’s mysterious beauty and warmth – but watch out, she is very possessive and indeed destructive.
When a person decides to live a life of faith rather than mere religion, changes must be made. Our Lord tells us: “No one can serve two Masters”. When you wear an evening gown or tuxedo to a formal ball, the sneakers gotta go – despite their comfort for dancing! Like the sheriff used to say on our favorite T.V. Western, “This town ain’t big enough for both of us”. If we are intent on asking God into our lives, when He comes, do know changes must be made. If you happily open your door to take in an elderly and ailing aunt or a troubled teenager and expect “business as usual”, you’re the one who needs help!
Yet the question still remains, when Christ comes will He find faith? The question is provocative and personal, and each of us should take the time to think about our answer. However, if you want to avoid the issue at hand don’t look into a mirror, look out the window. This is why some people get more excited about Christ’s coming on the clouds to judge the world rather than His hanging on a cross to save it.
No, it is not our business to calculate time, but rather to use it well. While the Scriptures do not clearly reveal the day of His coming, they are crystal clear about the duty we owe both God and neighbor. While we certainly don’t earn our way into heaven by good works, read the entire 25 th Chapter of Saint Matthew and see how they figure into the price of admission. If you lack faith – ask for it; if it’s weak – ask Him to make it strong. How will He find His own in a cold and dark world? The fire of faith!
Fr. Glenn Sudano, CFR
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