From the Daily Office

By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible. By faith he kept the Passover and the application of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel. By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.

—Hebrews 11:23-28, 31 (TNIV)

In today’s NT lesson, the writer of Hebrews continues to expound on the role of faith for the Christian. He cites two examples: Moses and Rahab. I find both of these examples remarkable because Moses was a murderer and Rahab was a prostitute. Apparently moral character is subsumed by faith in God’s economy. Surely it does not mean that God does not care about moral character because he is perfect and holy, and cannot abide evil. Rather, it seems, that faith is the vehicle by which God transforms broken people and restores them to his own image. He does this by the Presence of his Holy Spirit living in us, a Presence made possible by faith.

The next time you are feeling despair and wondering if it is possible for you to find life, remember these two examples from Hebrews. God called and used a murderer and a prostitute, among many others, to accomplish his will. Surely he will do likewise for you if you but ask him and then have faith that he will act. But don’t enter this journey of faith on your own. Do it in the company of other believers. You will find that God uses them also to help you in your faith journey and keep you safe from the Evil One who wants nothing more than to destroy both your faith and you.

On Reconciliation

And so, we realize that a just person is not without some sins. But there is one remedy which enables us to keep alive. For God, our Master, told us to say in our prayers: “Forgive us the wrong we have done as we forgive those who wrong us.” It is human to be angry, but I wish it were impossible…God spares you; spare others likewise; make up and seek reconciliation with them. But suppose you want reconciliation and the other person does not want it. That is enough for you; you have something to grieve for, you have freed yourself. If you want agreement and that person refuses, say confidently: “Forgive us the wrong we have done as we forgive those who wrong us.”

—Caesarius, Bishop of Arles, Sermon on Fraternal Harmony 1-2