A model of faith

As I listened to the Mass on EWTN tonight, the Holy Spirit moved me to thank God for my Uncle Bob.  He was a great help to my mom until he contracted Alzheimer’s disease and moved into an assisted care facility closer to his daughters, who live up North.  There are two Scripture readings that remind me of Uncle Bob.  One is the epistle that was read at today’s Mass (1 Cor 1:3-9):

Brothers and sisters:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I give thanks to my God always on your account for the grace of God bestowed on you in Christ Jesus, that in him you were enriched in every way, with all discourse and all knowledge, as the testimony to Christ was confirmed among you, so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ.

He will keep you firm to the end, irreproachable on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

God is faithful, and by him you were called to fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

The other is the Gospel of Matthew (Mt 18: 1-5):

At that time the disciples approached Jesus and said, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.  And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me.

Whenever I think of my Uncle Bob, it’s those two characteristics that come to the fore; the strength (firmness) of his faith, and the (child-like) humility that he brings to that faith.   He is a great example to all of us.  I firmly believe that though he cannot express it nor even show it outwardly due to his illness, his humble faith in his Creator remains firm. 

God bless you, Uncle Bob.