27th Sunday of Ordinary Time
Habakkuk 1:2–3; 2:2–4
Psalm 95:1–2, 6–7, 8–9
2 Timothy 1:6–8, 13–14
Luke 17:5–10
Faith is a living relationship. It begins with trust. It grows the more we “lean into it.” As faith becomes for us a foundation for action, we discover that it opens us to a world that we can never see unless we begin with faith. This is where our world tends to get things backward. We do not have to “see it to believe it.” Rather, we have to “believe it in order to be free to see it.”
“The just one, because of his faith, will live.” The one who is “rash,” that is, who runs forward without faith, makes a mess of things. But one who believes, one who allows faith to open up a vision of hope, will discover the truth about life and find strength to persevere.
The Apostles ask Jesus, “Increase our faith.” They are on the right track. They trust Jesus to offer them a way to move forward. However, in the moment, they cannot see the obstacles to faith in their hearts. Realization about lack of faith must come first.
When we make plans, we can sometimes think that we are being “objective.” We believe we see how things are and a way forward. But our vision is limited.
Jesus tells His disciples that they have missed the first step. They think they are already men of faith. In reality, they are being “subjective” in their approach. Humility is necessary to give room to faith to operate. “When you have done all you have been commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.’”
A mustard seed is very small. It is the source of something larger, but it is not the largest of plants. Faith is about something more ordinary than extraordinary. It grows. But its “size” is a surprise. To be a person of faith means not to measure but to trust in the growth in relationship that comes from participation in that relationship. Servants to a master do not become friends by presuming a friendship. But by serving at table, being present, then friendship, true relational faith, is allowed to grow at its own pace.
Relationship with God as a people invites us to come to know that God’s plan for us will be fulfilled, but not on our schedule. The prophet Habakkuk is told: “Write down the vision clearly upon the tablets, so that one can read it readily.” It is a revelation that must be received and contemplated. Its fulfillment is sure: “For the vision still has its time, presses on to fulfillment, and will not disappoint; if it delays, wait for it, it will surely come, it will not be late.”
The troubles of our world are many. They challenge our faith, our trust in God. We can lose focus and seek solutions of our own, leaving faith behind. This will not accomplish what we might hope. The Spirit is at work in our hearts. The voice of God whispers to us to invite us to faith. “If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.”
St. Paul reminds Timothy “to stir into flame the gift of God” that has been shared with him. Each soul who chooses to live by faith finds the strength to stand firm, “not be ashamed of … testimony to our Lord” and to bear one’s “share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God.”
Faith provides a way of integrity that meets the challenges of our time and presses on to the fulfillment promised by the One Who is trustworthy.