The Apostle's Fast in the Ancient Faithគំរូ

Day 7: Faith - The Anchor of the Soul

As we journey through the Apostle's Fast, we arrive at a crucial cornerstone of our Christian life: faith. Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). It is the foundation upon which our relationship with God is built, the lens through which we view the world, and the force that propels us forward in our spiritual journey. Faith is that which anchors us in the truth of God's promises and sustains us through the trials of life.

Hebrews 11:1-2 offers a profound definition of faith, presenting it as the substance that undergirds our hope and the evidence of the unseen realities of God's Kingdom. This passage introduces us to the "hall of faith," a catalog of Biblical figures who exemplified unwavering trust in God, despite not receiving what was promised in their lifetimes. Their stories encourage us to persevere in faith, trusting in God's promises and timing.

St. Peter's faith, particularly his attempt to walk on water towards Jesus, is a powerful testament to the nature of faith (Matthew 14:28-31). St. Peter's initial boldness, followed by fear and doubt, mirrors our own faith journey, yet, it is Jesus' response, reaching out to save Peter, that reminds us of the steadfastness of God's love and the importance of keeping our eyes fixed on Him. In the midst of our fasting and prayer, faith emerges as a guiding light, illuminating our path and strengthening our resolve. Faith is not passive belief but active trust in the faithfulness of God, even amidst uncertainty and adversity. Let us explore the depths of faith as we journey through this sacred season of fasting, drawing closer to the source of all hope and salvation.

St. Athanasius the Apostolic, the 20th Pope and Patriarch of the Coptic Orthodox Church, a defender of the faith against Arianism, emphasized faith as the foundation of Christian life. He taught that faith in the Incarnation and the Trinity is central to our salvation and relationship with God. His writings encourage us to hold fast to the orthodox faith handed down through the ages, reminding us that faith is both a gift to be received and a task to be pursued. St. Augustine of Hippo also says, "Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe." (Sermons 4.1.1)

The story of the countless martyrs, as recounted almost daily in the Coptic Synaxarium, highlights the strength of faith in the face of persecution. When facing death, they did so with courage and conviction, knowing that their faith in Christ transcended the pain of this world. Collectively their examples challenge us to stand firm in our faith, even when faced with trials and suffering, as they all received this honor with immense joy to be found worthy to suffer for His Holy Name, doing so because of their faith in and love for God. Afflictions then, in this light, can be seen for our benefit, not so that God can see what sort of person we are, for God knows all things, but so that God can give us the means to be perfected in our faith, to bring others to faith in Him, and for His glory.

In our fast-paced, often skeptical world, growing in faith requires intentionality. We are encouraged to cultivate our faith through prayer, reading Scripture, and participating in the sacramental life of the Church. Just as a seed needs water and sunlight to grow, our faith needs the nourishment of God's word and the fellowship of the faithful.

Faith is not a static possession but a dynamic journey but it is the anchor of our souls in the storms of life, the light that guides us through darkness, and the lens through which we see the world. As we continue our journey through the Apostle's Fast, let us strive to live by faith, to walk in faith, and to grow in faith, knowing that it is by faith we stand, and by faith, we are upheld.

Let us pray:

Heavenly Father, the Author and Perfecter of our faith, we come before You seeking to deepen our trust in You. In this season of fasting and reflection, open our hearts to the stories of faith that have shaped Your people throughout the ages. Grant us the courage of St. Peter to step out in faith, the wisdom of St. Athanasius to defend the truth, and the steadfastness of the martyrs to endure trials for the sake of Your name. May our faith be strengthened, and may we emerge from this fast more rooted and grounded in Your love. Amen.