THE GIFT OF FAITH
Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C (2/10/2022)
(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)
By Fr. Samuel Odeh
Our readings today are talking about faith. In the first reading from the prophet Habakkuk we see God urging the people not to lose faith in his justice and righteousness. In difficult and trying situations we are sometimes tempted to doubt the goodness or even the existence of God. We wonder if we are right about keeping our hands washed clean in innocence. Are we correct in doing the right thing even when it appears as if God does not see? Today God, through the prophet, assures the patient just man of his reward when the vision is fulfilled, when the time comes: “the righteous shall live by his faith.”
In our Gospel reading the apostles ask Jesus to increase their faith. Their request in this Gospel comes right after Jesus’ command that we forgive those who wrong us as often as they repent and ask us for forgiveness. Jesus responds by telling them about the power of faith. He tells them that a little amount of faith can do great things; a little faith can work wonders. “If you had faith as a grain of mustard seed you could say to this sycamine tree, ‘Be rooted up, and be planted in the sea,' and it would obey you.” Let us not think Jesus is accusing the apostles of not having faith at all. Rather he is saying that the faith of any disciple of Christ must be an action faith; believing must be a doing word. To forgive a repentant brother or sister for instance is to do the work of God, the work of faith. Faith is a gift and a call to be servants of God. To serve God is a privilege and a blessing and not a right. Jesus tells us that even when God works his wonders through us using our little faith we are not to expect praises from God. When Christians do charity work for instance they are doing their duty before God who has granted them the grace to cooperate with him in his work. Faith as dutiful service is a gift we must be thankful for and God can multiply his blessings in us.
Sometimes we forget the gifts we have received. In our second reading from the second letter to Timothy, Saint Paul asks Timothy to rekindle “the gift of God” that is within him, to set it on fire again. Our faith may grow weak sometimes through a lack of practice, inactivity or through difficulty and trials and hardships. We have received the gift of God and it is not a quiet or secret gift. It is a Spirit of power and love and self-control. We should not be ashamed or afraid to do the work of God openly. We must keep our faith alive through constant prayer and dutiful service. May the Lord fan the flame of our faith and grant us the strength and courage to do his work. Amen.
