Lumen Fidei - page 69

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CHAPTER FOUR
GOD  PREPARES  A  CITY  FOR  THEM
(cf. Heb 11:16)
Faith and the common good
50. In presenting the story of the patriarchs
and the righteous men and women of the Old
Testament, the Letter to the Hebrews highlights
an essential aspect of their faith. That faith is not
only presented as a journey, but also as a process
of building, the preparing of a place in which
human beings can dwell together with one an-
other. The first builder was Noah who saved his
family in the ark (Heb 11:7). Then comes Abra-
ham, of whom it is said that by faith he dwelt in
tents, as he looked forward to the city with firm
foundations (cf. Heb 11:9-10). With faith comes
a new reliability, a new firmness, which God
alone can give. If the man of faith finds support
in the God of fidelity, the God who is Amen
(cf. Is 65:16), and thus becomes firm himself, we
can now also say that firmness of faith marks the
city which God is preparing for mankind. Faith
reveals just how firm the bonds between people
can be when God is present in their midst. Faith
does not merely grant interior firmness, a stead-
fast conviction on the part of the believer; it also
sheds light on every human relationship because
it is born of love and reflects God’s own love.
The God who is himself reliable gives us a city
which is reliable.