A very sleepy Faith

By Steve Hall

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/050623.cfm https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/050623.cfm
Acts 13:44-52
John 14:7-14

The Scriptural accounts of the days following the Ascension and then Pentecost always seem radical to the point that you might wonder if the descriptions were contrived. The words from today’s first reading (Acts 13:44-52) come immediately to mind.

“ . . . almost the whole city gathered . . . .”

“The Gentiles were delighted . . . .”

“All who were destined for eternal life came to believe . . . ."

“The disciples were filled with joy . . ."

Some might consider the accounts embellished, inflated or overblown. Yet, there is no historical evidence for such claims. On the contrary, the rapid spread of the Faith would suggest otherwise. Moreover, the descriptions in this account of post-Pentecost events is not unique; rather it is echoed time and again in chapters from Acts. Those who heard and received the Good News were overwhelmed with joy and enthusiasm. Nothing short of mass hysteria could otherwise account for their steadfastness in the face of persecution and, for some, even death. 

St Stephen was not deterred from announcing his vision, and he was but the first. Joy and enthusiasm, along with the almost palpable presence of the Spirit were overriding factors in the faith of new converts.

What is challenging in these Scriptural accounts is their dissimilarity to professed faith today. We would find an easily recognized dissonance between the description of the attitude of those who accepted the faith in that first century and any description of the attitude of today’ presumed believers. Where the joy? Where the excitement? Where the hope?

It is not my purpose to belittle anyone’s belief or their demonstrable expression of that belief. But the contrast between then and now cannot be ignored. The differences are too conspicuous. Are we just more inhibited today than those living two thousand years ago? Are we simply passive in our belief? Has the acceptance of life after death become a trivial matter? Are we indifferent to the change in our eternal destiny? Or are we content to believe that things have always been this way?

No answers readily come to mind for any of these questions, probably because what answers there be are entirely personal. Yet our attitude toward God and what he has done for us is worthy of our reflection.

What would it take to awaken a persistent and vibrant awareness of the fact that our lot, our portion, our cup has entered a new and promise filled future? At the end of today’s Gospel reading Jesus advises his disciples to “ask anything of me in my name, I will do it." Maybe it’s time to ask for a more heartfelt and active faith.