TODAY’S GOSPEL REFLECTION 27TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR C, 6TH OCTOBER, 2013 THEME: FAITH IN GOD AS YOU WAITS PATIENTLY ON HIM My dear brothers and sisters in the first Reading, Prophet Habakkuk a faithful man was annoyed with God for delaying punishment on Judah and Jerusalem in spite of their evils and faithlessness. The kings set bad example, neglecting God and worship of idols at that period. He questions and argues with God about the state of affairs- why should God allow these things to happen? He has pleaded again and again but God seem not to hear him. “How long, Lord, am I to cry for help while you will not listen?” Just as the scriptures says: “As I live says the Lord I have no pleasure in the death of a sinner but rather let him turn from his evil way and live.”God told prophet Habakkuk to be patient, that He will eventually put things right; even if he seemed to be slow in reacting, his judgment was certain to come. He has prepared a severe punishment for Judah and its wicked habitants but the just will saved. In other words, God said that evildoers shall pass away, but good people shall live, because of their faithfulness (2:4). Like prophet Habakkuk, there are many of us Christians who want God quickly to punish sinners, especially those who unjustly oppress their fellowmen or make life difficult for those who are trying to live honestly and uprightly. Christ tells us expressively: “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who maltreat you.” (Lk 6:27). Although this may be difficult but it is possible, because our Lord Jesus Christ did it when on the cross, he says: “Father forgive them, they do know not what they do”. Similarly, in the second reading, at the time St. Paul wrote this letter he was expecting his execution at any moment at the hands of those, the Jews who bitterly opposed to Christ and his Gospel. He knew not when or how it would come. But Paul is not thinking of himself, or of what fate awaits him; “he has fought the good fight, he has kept the faith”. Rather, Paul tells Timothy that he should have “faith and love in Jesus Christ, and not to be ashamed of witnessing to Christ or ashamed of him of being a prison of Christ, but with him to bear hardship for the sake of the Good News, relying on the power of God”. Hence, St. Paul advices Timothy and us to stir into flame the gifts God has given. Thus, unlike Habakkuk, Paul never lacked faith in the power of God despite his sufferings. He never asked God to punish those who arrested him, instead, of being a prisoner of Christ he encourages Timothy to wait and have faith in God- relying on the power of God”. In the same vein, in today’s Gospel, we see the Apostles asking the Lord to increase their faith. They had guessed correctly that theological faith is a gift. No one buys it, earns it, conquers it, or wins it. It comes from God alone. Thus, Jesus used the picture of a tiny seed to move a mighty sycamore tree as a metaphor for faith being the greatest force in the world. Even on a purely natural plane, things that look impossible become possible when approached with faith. Hence, “Lord, Increase our Faith”. What the apostles are asking for here is greater confidence, greater trust in God, so that they can work miracles which our Lord worked. Consequently, even though the words we have read were addressed to the Apostles, they apply to all of us, each in his own station of life. Following the example of the Apostles, we must all pray for greater trust and faith in God. That is why the gospel concludes with a gentle dig at our human pretensions before God. Jesus says, “Do you thank your slave for doing what he was commanded? So you also, when you have done all that you were ordered to do, say ‘We are worthless slaves; we have done what we ought to have done! This teaches the disciples the necessity of being humble in service of God and to thank Him for all we have received from Him. Therefore, today’s liturgy is centered on faith in God. Faith is the greatest force in the world. It is to believe what we do not see. It is the reliance not on self but on God. The tiniest bit of faith is enough so long as it is real faith. Faith is a gift of God given gratuitously provided we are open to receive it.
Posted on: Sun, 06 Oct 2013 04:06:02 +0000
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