The Virtue Series:Faith Part 3

The Virtue Series: Faith Part 3

Whether we use modern day heroes or heroines or saints and holy people, humanity needs a model on which to emulate one’s life especially in difficult times.  When our faith is tested, we as Catholics should look to the witnesses of faith. 

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states:

"It is then (in difficult times) we must turn to the witnesses of faith: to Abraham, who "in hope... believed against hope"; to the Virgin Mary, who, in "her pilgrimage of faith", walked into the "night of faith" in sharing the darkness of her son's suffering and death; and to so many others: "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith." (no 165).

Our model is Jesus Christ, but apart from those already mentioned by the Catechism, we also might look to Elizabeth, a woman of faith who may inspire and support us in our faith journey. In Luke 1:5-66, we are introduced to Elizabeth who was remarkable in faith, and known to us as Mary's cousin.

Luke describes the spiritual lives of Zechariah and Elizabeth as righteous, blameless and obedient to all the Lord's commandments.  This is important to realize because Elizabeth was barren, and to have children was considered a blessing from God.It was indeed a great pain for Elizabeth to be barren.

However, Elizabeth responded to the promptings of the Holy Spirit by trusting the workings of God and expressed her faith loudly.  She believed that Mary is the mother of the promised Messiah ('mother of my Lord') and unabashedly proclaimed this truth with great joy. Elizabeth also proclaimed Mary is blessed because of her faith in God's ability to fulfil His promises.

We are also told in this story after Zechariah is struck dumb that the neighbours and relatives weigh in on what the child is to be called- ' after his father', which was the tradition.  Elizabeth must have believed what Zechariah had told her about his experience with angel Gabriel and in her own heart, believed the words of the angel even though she did not have the direct spiritual experience. These aspects demonstrated Elizabeth as a woman of faith because she:

·                     Believed God could reveal to her His truth through the workings of the Holy Spirit.

·                     Believed that God was conceived in the womb of Mary.

·                     Believed the words of the angel Gabriel spoken to her husband.

How can Elizabeth be a model for us as a woman of faith and be applied to our own lives?  It seems to me that Elizabeth's life was one filled with faith and hope.  I can learn from her to be sensitive to the workings of the Holy Spirit and to believe Him when He works in my life.  Elizabeth's example also teaches me to trust in the wonderful power of God to accomplish what He has promised.

Who will you choose as a model of faith for your life?