Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Health Vailankanni

Ask the Father and Jesus Christ, his Word, for the light of faith. We received it in principle in baptism, but we must preserve and develop this divine seed. So what is the form of cooperation that God looks for from us in this regard? First of all, he expects our prayer; faith is a gift from God. The spirit of faith comes from God's spirit: "Lord, increase our faith" (Lk 17:5). Often say to Jesus Christ as the father of the sick child did in the gospel: "Lord, I believe but increase my faith; help my unbelief" (cf. Mk 9:24).For it is God alone, as its efficient cause, who can increase faith in us; our own role is to merit this growth through our prayers and good works. Once we have obtained faith we have the duty of putting it into practice. In baptism God gives us the "habit" of faith; it is a force, a power; but this force should not remain inactive or seize up, so to speak, for lack of exercise. This "habitus" should be always growing stronger by means of the acts that correspond to it. We are not to become like one of those souls in whom faith has gone to sleep. Let us often renew our acts of faith, not only during our acts of piety but also during the tiny details of our lives. According to the counsels it is "every day" that we must walk in its light.

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Saturday of the Eighteenth week in Ordinary Time

Blessed Columba Marmion (1858-1923)

"If you have faith" (Mt 17:20)

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