Readings: Wisdom 18:6-9, Psalm 33, Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19, Luke 12:32-48

The word faith appears in the second reading of this 19th Sunday, Year C in the Church’s liturgical cycle. Beyond its implication of “believe”, what does faith mean? The Letter to the Hebrews 11:1 says that it is “confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”

The Latin word “credo” is actually a derivation of “cor” (heart) and “dare” (to give). Thus, the Latin word “credere” – to believe, is actually derived from “cor-dare” which means that or what I have given my heart to. It is this cor-dare (that which I have given my heart to) that would lead to “con-fidere” (that on which I depend) and “con-vivere” (that which I live with). This understanding of faith, links it with the other two theological virtues (hope and love). This understanding of faith as “cor-dare” infuses life into faith and liberates it from an abstract concept.

The heart is not merely an organ in the body that pumps blood. It is also the centre of affection and meaning. It is the powerhouse of motivation and activity. It is the centre of our feelings. It gives meaning to our thoughts and words. On the other hand, a machine has no feelings, no expectations and no hopes.

Just as the programmes installed in a computer determine its operations, what I give my heart to, or where I hang my heart directs the trajectory of my life. It gives force to my activities and underlies my motivations. It is the unseen catalyst of my choices and preferences.

This understanding of faith, not only links it with the other theological virtues but also connects to today’s Gospel in which Jesus re-states that “where a person’s treasure is, there is his heart.” The challenge therefore stares us at the face: what treasures do I have? What relevance do these treasures have to my eternal destiny? What priorities do I set for myself? What do I feed my heart with? Where do I hang my heart?

Faith is “cor-dare”, that which I have given my heart to. At Mass, (at the Preface) the priest says to the congregation: “Lift up your hearts”. The congregation would respond: “We lift them up to the Lord.” Let us actually mean what we say at Mass and set our hearts on eternal and enduring principles and values. Let us strive after what is good and noble. As Jesus told the crowd in John 6:27 “do not work for the food that perishes but for the food that endures to eternal life.”

Faith is “cor-dare”. The question today is: what have you given your heart to? Where have you placed your heart?

Fr. Uzochukwu Njoku