Firmness of Faith!!!

"Unless your faith is firm you shall not be firm" (Is. 7:9). This is how the first reading from Mass concludes. The conclusion is a challenge for all of us. We need to be firm, steadfast in our faith. One of the suggestions for Mass this day was to use the prayers "For the Church, 1D." I can see why because in the Collect it spoke of the Church being steadfast in faith. We are the Church, the Body of Christ, and we need to be steadfast in our faith because of the ups and downs that we encounter in life. There is a beautiful meditation from the "Living Faith" devotional that speaks about this steady faith. According to the commentator, Steve Givens, the key to our steady faith is a life of prayer. Like any relationship, communication is key when it comes to living with, growing close, or being around someone. The same is true with our prayer life. If we are going to grow in our relationship with God, we need to communicate. "When we pray, we let go of ego and will and place ourselves in the presence of the divine so that communication can occur between our human spirit and God's Holy Spirit. Prayer helps us know that God is, indeed, close by, alive, moving and working in our lives" (Givens, "Living Faith," July 17). Prayer is key when it comes to our relationship with God and being firm in our faith. That passage from Isaiah is a good one to bring to prayer. May we allow God to work in our lives in a special way as we grow and remain steadfast and firm in faith. God Bless You on Your Journey!!!