Firm in your faith

“Keep alert, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong.” – 1 Cor 16:13

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Dear friends in Christ Jesus, in today's Bible passage we hear about Paul who is encouraging the Corinthian community with his final messages and greetings. The purpose of Paul writing letters to them is to encourage them to stand firm in faith. He says, “keep alert, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong.” The community which is newly formed needs continuous attention and guidance. Paul is making sure that even in his physical absence evangelization is happening.

Every member of the community of faithful is important. Paul gives recognition especially to those of his disciples who work very hard to keep up the faith of the community. It is a wholehearted service rented from the heart. Those of the new converts need more care and accompaniment. In order to strengthen the new converts they need to stay closer to the bigger faithful community.

At whichever part of the stage of faith we may be, we always need to monitor our life. Faith is a gift from God. We need to be grateful to God for it and nourish it as much as possible. There are times when our faith is shaken and we are challenged, but in all those moments we receive grace from God to cling on to him. We read in Matthew 24:13 –“But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” Salvation requires steadfast faith and perseverance through trials, persecution and tribulation. Let us keep alert, stand firm in our faith, be courageous and be strong. Amen.

 

Bible Reflection on 1 Cor 16: 13-24 by Fr. George Joseph SVD.