An Added Essential

The thing that moistens what’s dry, that fills what’s empty, and that binds together what would otherwise remain separate in the meal is the gravy. And in our Advent feast, the gravy is the sustaining essential of Faith.

Now faith is not a thing of quantity. Faith isn’t a ladleful to be measured. It’s not about how much you have, but how deeply you know the One in whom you have faith. Jesus said, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed…” not because the seed is large, but because it is alive, rooted, and growing. The power isn’t in the size, but in the connection. Like gravy, it’s not the main dish — but it’s what seeps into everything, bringing cohesion, warmth, and flavor.

bringing the binding warmth

When you meet someone who has all the religious trappings — someone who appears to have a relationship with God — but you sense something missing, that reveals something of the nature of faith. Without faith, religion can become demanding, uninviting, dry, even brittle. Without faith there’s a lack of engagement, warmth, and life-giving presence. Someone who is religious but does not have faith doesn’t seem to connect with really living. It’s as if their prescriptions of right and wrong never quite touch what everyone faces as they go through their days.

Gravy is made from the drippings — the real stuff, the essence of the meat as it cooks. Faith is made from the drippings of our lives — the moments of pain, joy, waiting, and hope. It’s not separate. It’s drawn from the meat of experience and poured back over everything. The example of Jesus’ life, the knowing of God — that intimate relationship — gives us something to follow. The thing that is different about Jesus as a human being, and every other human being, is that His connection with God was never damaged, never broken. And as He “grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and men,” His friendship, His love, and His companionship with God deepened. The “drippings” of Jesus’ life experiences intensified His faith. This is what we’re called to follow in learning from Him.

Like the gravy boat sitting on the table, passed from hand to hand as each person adds this essential component to an already tasty meal, Faith is something that builds between us and deepens within us through our shared experiences. We look for God, expect God, rejoice in God in all our moments so that our relationship will be enhanced. Faith is the assurance that God is working — even when we don’t see it, even when the plate looks sparse. It adds more to every meal.