If We Want to Know God, We Must Wrestle with Him - Fr Turbo Qualls - 20 May 2024 - Monday Liturgy

Summary

The video script explores the theme of faith in times of crisis, drawing parallels between the story of a desperate official seeking a miracle for his dying son and the transformation of Saul into the Apostle Paul. It emphasizes the importance of engaging with God through both desperation and devotion, highlighting God's consistent desire to draw out and strengthen our faith. The speaker encourages viewers to wrestle with God, like Jacob did with the angel, to truly understand and grow in their relationship with the divine.

Takeaways

• 🙏 The story of a desperate father seeking a miracle for his dying son illustrates the human tendency to plead with God in times of crisis.
• 🗣️ Jesus' words about faith and signs can be interpreted in different ways, suggesting that faith is more valuable than needing proof through signs.
• 🔍 The exchange between Jesus and the official highlights the process of seeking divine intervention and the importance of faith over visible proof.
• 🌟 The official's faith is drawn out by Jesus, who challenges him to believe without seeing, leading to the healing of his son from afar.
• 👼 God's method of drawing faith from individuals is exemplified through the stories in the gospel and the Acts of the Apostles.
• 👉 The account of St. Stephen's martyrdom serves as a testament to bearing witness to faith, even in the face of hostility and hatred.
• 🧐 The presence of Saul, who would later become the Apostle Paul, during Stephen's martyrdom foreshadows his own transformation and the role of faith in his life.
• 🤝 Both the desperate father and Saul represent different aspects of faith—begging for relief and presuming to know God's will.
• 💖 The faithfulness of God is revealed in both scenarios, showing that God is always loving and seeking to deepen our faith.
• 🤔 The sermon encourages introspection on our own faith, whether we are begging God for relief or thinking we know God's will better than He does.
• 💪 It concludes with an encouragement to have faith and engage with God, using the image of Jacob wrestling with an angel as a metaphor for the struggle to truly know God.

Q & A

What is the central theme of the script related to the story of the official and his son?

The central theme is the demonstration of faith in desperate situations and the process of seeking divine intervention, as well as the drawing forth of faith by God in response to human need.

How does the script describe the official's approach to Jesus for a miracle?

The official, in desperate need due to his son being at the verge of death, seeks out Jesus after hearing rumors of his miraculous works, hoping for a divine intervention.

What is the significance of the exchange between Jesus and the official in the script?

The exchange signifies the process of pleading with God during a crisis and the potential difficulty of faith without the need for signs or miracles.

How does the script interpret Jesus' words about signs and belief?

The script suggests two interpretations: one where Jesus implies the need for signs for belief, and another where Jesus is emphasizing the importance of faith over the need for signs.

What role does faith play in the healing of the official's son according to the script?

Faith plays a crucial role as the official believes that Jesus can heal his son without needing a sign, and this faith leads to the son's healing.

How does the script connect the story of the official's son with the account of St. Stephen?

The script connects the two by highlighting the theme of bearing witness and the drawing forth of faith in different circumstances, whether it be a plea for healing or a testimony in the face of hostility.

What is the significance of Saul's presence in the account of St. Stephen's martyrdom as mentioned in the script?

Saul's presence is significant as it foreshadows his transformation into the Apostle Paul, indicating that God can draw faith even from those initially opposed, using difficult situations as a catalyst.

How does the script use the story of Saul to illustrate the idea of God drawing forth faith?

The script uses Saul's story to show that even in the midst of hostility and opposition, God can use challenging circumstances to cultivate and reveal faith, as seen in Saul's eventual conversion to Paul.

What comparison does the script make between the situations of begging God and presuming to know God's will?

The script compares these situations to illustrate that in both cases, people may be mistaken about God's intentions, yet God's faithfulness and desire to bring forth faith remain constant.

What encouragement does the speaker offer to the audience based on the script's message?

The speaker encourages the audience to have faith, to engage with God, and to understand that wrestling with God is necessary to draw out the best in us, as symbolized by the story of Jacob wrestling with the angel.

What is the symbolic meaning of Jacob wrestling with the angel in the context of the script?

The symbolic meaning is that to truly know God and have faith, one must be willing to wrestle or struggle with God, acknowledging that divine blessings may not come easily but through a process of spiritual growth and challenge.