Please read the Scripture passage before the homily.
What does faith mean? In the context of today’s reading, faith means relationship. Abraham had faith, he had relationship with God. He and God were like friends.
Even today, faith is primarily a relationship. If is not mainly a listing of things believed; it may much better be called the reasons why the listing is believed. Human faith leads a couple to enter marriage; human faith promotes friendships. Human faith leads to us to consider divine faith as a relationship between each of us and God.
Cursed are those who rely on the law. Someone has said that if the only reason we keep the law is to avoid punishment, then we are really bad persons. Doing good can reinforce a relationship, but merely avoiding displeasing someone will not help the relationship.
When Christ took on our human nature, he identified himself completely with us to the point of taking our sins upon himself. He became a curse for us, in the words of St Paul. When Christ took on our human nature, he shared with us his divine nature. This enabled Christ’s faith, his relationship with the Father, to become our faith. At one time we were locked in the law, but now, through Christ, we are freed to be in relationship with God.
This faith, this relationship with God, is how we find salvation. It is not our doing, but Christ’s doing. Christ has freed us from the chains of the law and restored us to faith in God. In this faith we find our salvation, through Christ Jesus.