The word “faith” is repeated again and again in today’s second reading from the Letter to the Hebrews. Here is how the reading begins: “Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen.” Throughout the reading the word “faith” is used in three different ways. First, as trust in God or assurance of God’s saving love. Second, as faithfulness – God’s and ours. Third, as the content of what we believe, as in the creed.
All three meanings of the word have to do with our covenant relationship with God. The first two center on our experience of God present and at work in our lives. The third one comes from people’s lived experience of God’s faithfulness throughout the Christian centuries.
What part do these three meanings of “faith” have in your life? In the life of the Church?