While renovating a house, a carpenter came across an old electrical wire where he was installing a cabinet. Wanting to cut it out of the way he called the electrician over and asked if the wire was “live.” The electrician assured the carpenter that the wire was dead and he could go ahead and cut it.
The carpenter asked, “Are you sure there’s no danger?”
“Absolutely,” replied the electrician.
The carpenter responded, “Are you ‘sure’ you’re sure?”
“Sure, I’m sure,” said the electrician.
The carpenter handed him the wire cutters and said, “Well, then, YOU cut it.”
The electrician hesitated and then said with a smile, “Well…I’m not THAT sure.”
It’s hard to be sure about many things, and even harder to be “sure you’re sure.” Faith is difficult because it’s abstract, intangible; and even if you have faith, it’s often difficult to maintain because our world keeps sending pounding doubts in its direction.
In his epistle to the Hebrews, St. Paul writes, “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1) and luckily the scriptures are riff with examples of people who had such surety of faith.
Noah was so sure of God’s word that he built an ark in the middle of a desert.
Abraham was so sure of God’s promise that he would be the “father of many generations” that when asked, he set about to sacrifice his son Isaac.
David was so sure of God’s strength that he battled a mighty giant.
Daniel was so sure of God’s protection that he spent a night locked in a lion’s den.
Job was so sure of God’s righteousness that he refused to blame Him for all his misfortunes.
Mary was so sure of God’s Divine Plan that when the Archangel Gabriel told her that she was to conceive and bear a Son, she said, “Behold, I am the handmaiden of the Lord. Be it done to me according to Thy will.”
John the Baptist was so sure of the Messiah’s immanent arrival that he spent his life challenging the people to repent and change their ways.
Jairus was so sure of God’s authority over life and death that he left his dying daughter to seek Jesus’ help.
The woman with the flow of blood was so sure of God’s power that she pushed her way through a great crowd in order to touch the hem Jesus’ garments.
The Apostles were so sure of the Messiah’s call to them that they each left everything behind in order to follow Him.
Zacchaeus was so sure of Christ’s promise to come into his home that he actually repented and changed his former way of life.
The Canaanite woman was so sure of God’s ability to say “yes” to a request to heal her daughter that she refused to take “no” for an answer.
Four friends were so sure that Christ could heal their crippled friend that they tore open a roof in order to lower him down to Jesus for healing.
Mary Magdalene was so sure God’s forgiveness that she totally changed her sinful way of life.
The blind beggar was so sure that Jesus could restore his sight that he refused to stop shouting until Jesus heard him.
And as the ultimate sign of assuredness we have the Centurion in today’s gospel lesson who was so sure that our Lord could heal his servant that he told Jesus He didn’t even need to come to his home!
Given all of these faith-filled illustrations, the only question we need to ask ourselves today is how sure are you of your faith? And if you’re not sure you’re sure….it probably means you need to step up and increase your prayer life, knowledge of Scripture, and putting your trust in God.
Fr. John
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