One Step at a Time

A Reflection on the Second Reading for December 27th, 2020:
The Feast of The Holy Family

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Hebrews
11.8, 11-12, 17-19

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to set out for a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; and he set out, not knowing where he was going. By faith Sarah herself, though barren, received power to conceive, even when she was too old, because she considered him faithful who had promised.

Therefore from one person, and this one as good as dead, descendants were born, “as many as the stars of heaven and as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.”

By faith Abraham, when put to the test, offered up Isaac. He who had received the promises was ready to offer up his only-begotten son, of whom he had been told, “It is through Isaac that descendants shall be named for you.” Abraham considered the fact that God is able even to raise someone from the dead — and figuratively speaking, he did receive him back.

Pause. Pray.

And then read more...

​In Jesus, God has promised me, and all of us, by faith, life to the full. I sometimes get glimpses of a life lived in technicolour — vivid, rich, alive with joy and meaning, but I have realized I am stuck. Stuck in the mud of grief, pride, and fear. As did my ancestors in faith, I am taking what feels like bold steps into the unknown in search of this promise — I don’t know where I am going, but I know, by faith, that God wants to lead me out of the mud.

This journey has no clear path; it is, quite simply, a one-foot-in-front-of-the-other sort of thing. Some pretty miraculous things have happened to me along the way. God has certainly proven His faithfulness to me. That doesn’t mean it’s been easy — au contraire, in fact — when we confront our own broken hearts, and the hearts we’ve broken, it hurts. And it’s relationally so hard, both to journey with someone and to be accompanied. But trust is built when we extend our hands to one another in faith. That’s how we get out of the mud.

Through Mary’s yes, by faith, and Joseph’s accompaniment of her, by faith, God showed us His power to save us through their Holy Family. Through Abraham and Sarah’s holy family, God shows us, by faith, that it is never too late. It is never too late to realize the life God desires for each of us. He is interested in raising us from the dead, out of the mud, up into the lives of saints that are rooted in joy, hope, and love. 

By faith, let us allow Him to take our hands, and lead us wherever He wants us to go.


Let us pray:
Lord, help us to create holy families around one another, where we can help lead one another toward You, one step at a time.

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​Lindsay Elford

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