October 2, 2016

October 2, 2016
27th Sunday in Ordinary Time C
Habakkuk 1: 23; 2: 2-4; 2 Timothy 1: 6-8, 13-14; Luke 17: 5-10
I am not on the top of the list for being a patient person. I used to be consistently near the bottom of
the list. In my earlier years I would start a number of projects and not see them to completion. I
have corrected this quite a bit. The difficulty arises when I take on too much; I am not great at
asking for ‘help’ to finish whatever the project is. Overall I would say that I’m not very patient with
myself. In reflection, this can too often carry over in my relationship with God. This serves for
many reflections and asking God for His continued presence and help. This is what faith is all about.
How often do I ask God for help? Do I trust that He will always respond? Do I believe that He
cares that much for me? God does care…totally…all the time!So the real crux of the problem is
myself. The readings help me with this.
Habakkuk was a prophet who wrote a few years after Nahum, another prophet. Now Nahum
concentrated on one single event: the fall of Nineveh in 612 BC. Assyria was the enemy of Judah
and because they were defeated at Nineveh,Nahum was overjoyed, Judah would no longer be
invaded by Assyria. The opening verse of Nahum’s prophecy is “A jealous and avenging God is the
Lord.” Along comes Habakuk and he is telling the people of a new crisis Judah is facing: the threat
of Babylon. Habakuk not only reacts to this imminent danger, but ponders the underlying problem.
Why do bad people come after good people? Why does evil seem to triumph? The age old question:
‘Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people’ has been around for a long time and it
will continue to be so. This continues in the classic work, the book of Job. Habakkuk’s closing
sentence today: “The just man, because of his faith, shall live.” The beginning of the prophet’s refection
saw him accusing God of turning a deaf ear to the lack of faith of the people. God says be patient!
The central point is what is meant by ‘faith’? Faith is simply trusting God…this faith helps one to
wait for the future. The prophet is explaining the attributes of God. He believes and writes that God
is just and His justice will ultimately prevail. It is God’s world. I have been treated to be an
important part of that world and to play my own part in God’s plan. Seldom, if ever will I realize or
appreciate my part…but that is why I was created and continued to be loved by God who provides
all the help, the grace that I need to have His plan reach its competition. The only question and
difficulty is how long? The easy answer is there is no time for God…time is with me. Poor me!
This brings in another point that Paul brings up in his writing to Timothy. This is written shortly
before Paul’s martyrdom. In a sense Paul is passing on his hopes and his legacy to Timothy. He
reminds Timothy to “stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands. For
God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self control.” It is not about me, it
is about being a messenger, an apostle of Jesus’ life and love. Don’t be afraid to share my belief in
God…don’t be afraid of being a person of love…don’t be afraid if I face ridicule or rejection. You
don’t open up a package and unwrap faith…faith is not a thing, but rather a relationship with God.
Faith is a gift from God but God does not force Himself on anyone. Faith is not something that
when it is acquired it is fully grown at the start. Faith has to grow. I learn how by being aware of
others…and responding by being caring and loving. Why? Because that is how Jesus lived and He
told us He needs each one of us. So I really don’t lose my faith, I have just ceased or cut short my
relationship with God who is giving me all the help I need. But I say NO…it’s not about You…it’s
about me!
Luke shares the apostles asking Jesus to increase their faith. Jesus said, “If you have the faith the size of
a mustard seed you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey
you.” He is telling us that what looks impossible…with God, all human things are possible. Do I
believe in God? Am I giving God a chance? In the gospels from Luke these last few weeks, Jesus is
repeating the aspects of what it means to be His follower, His disciple. Jesus is saying, just look at
the role of a servant. He is doing his job in the field. When he comes inside after working all day,
his job has not ended. He had to continue to do what is commanded of him. Luke is sharing these
remarks of Jesus to his community to admonish the early Christians to be more faith filled and
obedient believers rather than waiting for a pat on the back or a reward. God’s reward is life in
heaven forever with the Trinity…it comes by loving…by being Jesus. We work on this each day
because we need to…this is what strengthens our faith, our belief in the gift of life given by God.
My faith grows when it is exercised. My faith grows when it is nourished. My faith grows by
prayer and in living in a believing community.
Luke, A Devotional Commentary, Meditations on the Gospel According to St. Luke says it
beautifully: “Have you ever thought about how easily we could work for God and yet never really know Him?
We could do all sorts of work for the church and the poor, either out of a sense of duty or out of a desire to
ensure our place in heaven. But if we respond to God this way, we’ve missed the point. He is calling us to a
relationship of love, not one of slavery. Those who think like duty-bound slaves miss out on a wonderful
experience of life in the kingdom of God. They won’t know a relationship with Jesus that can fill them so deeply
that they long to give everything back to Him.
Of course, there are things we must do as His disciples. Jesus has told us to obey His commandments. But
there are things that we do for Jesus just because we love Him—like turning our hearts to Him during a busy
day or going out of our way to help one of His little ones. Let us respond to Jesus out of love today. Let us ask
the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with God’s love so that His love for us would awaken our love for Him.”
So I reflect on:
• Where have I been impatient with myself or with God and what has helped my impatience to
grow?
• ‘Every man for himself’ is not a Gospel value. How do I participate in the common good?
• I reflect on the seemingly impossible tasks accomplished in my life because others had faith in my
ability. Did I tell God, ‘thanks’?
• God’s will does not always fit in with my own desires. How have I learned to submit to God’s
will instead of doing what I want to do?
• How much effort do I put into trying to live God’s will? Do I ask Him for help?
Sacred Space 2016 states:
“Jesus draws attention to the greatness hidden in something tiny. We too are tiny, but God empowers those
who truly follow Him to do great things. God can work through us, beyond all our hopes and dreams, when we
do not get in the way.
Lord, you fill me with Your unlimited love, and You invite me to share that love with a needy world. Let it be
my joy to do that. That is my greatness, to serve in love. And the opportunities are endless.”
s…and responding by being caring and loving. Why? Because that is how Jes