Sep 30, 2013
Habakkuk 1:2-3;2:2-4
Psalm 95:1-2,6-9
2 Timothy 1:6-8,13-14
Luke 17:5-10
Because of his faith, the just man shall live. We hear in today's
First Reading the original prophetic line made so central by St.
Paul (see
Romans 1:17;
Galatians 3:11;
Hebrews 10:38).
We are to live by faith in Christ who loved us and gave himself on
the Cross for us (see
Galatians 2:20).
The world, though, can seem to us as seventh-century Judah seemed
to Habakkuk - in the control of God's enemies. The strife and
discord we face in our own lives can sometimes cause us to wonder,
as the prophet does, why God doesn't seem to hear or intervene when
we cry for help.
We can't let our hearts be hardened by the trials we undergo. As
today's Psalm reminds us: Israel forgot His mighty works, lost
faith in the sound words of His promise. They tested God in the
desert, demanding a sign.
But God didn't redeem Israel from Egypt only to let them die in the
desert. And He didn't ransom us from futility only to abandon us in
our trials. He is our God and we are the people He shepherds always
- though at times His mercy and justice seem long delayed.
If we call on the Lord, as the Apostles do in today's Gospel, He
will increase our faith, will stir to a flame the Holy Spirit who
has dwelt within us since Baptism.
As Paul tells us in today's Epistle, the Lord will always give us
the love and self-control we need to bear our share of hardship for
the Gospel - with a strength that can come from God alone.
Our task is to continue doing what He has commanded - to love and
to build up His kingdom - trusting that His vision still presses on
to its fulfillment.
For His vision still has its time. One day, though we are but
"unprofitable servants," we will be invited to eat and drink at our
Master's table. It is that day we anticipate with each celebration
of the Eucharist.