Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk

Twenty-Seventh Sunday of the Year, C – October 6, 2019.

Readings: Habakkuk 1:2-3,2:2-4; Responsorial Psalm Ps 94:1-2,6-9; 

2 Tim 1:6-8,13-14 & Gospel Lk 17:5-10.

Theme: Fulfilling Our Duty

Introduction

Friends in Christ, our liturgy calls to fulfil our duty to the Lord in faith. The scripture tells us that "Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see" (Hebrews 11:1). The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines it as: “the supernatural gift of God which makes us believe without seeing what God has revealed.” As such, we shall navigate through a summary of the readings in order to derive the requisite pastoral lessons. 

Background and Summary of the Readings

In the first reading (Habakkuk 1:2-3,2:2-4), Prophet Habakkuk speaks for the people of Judah who were about to be overtaken by the Babylonian army. He wondered why God would allow his chosen people to be conquered by a pagan empire. Since God answers prayers at his own time, it took seventy years for them to return to the Holy Land. Habakkuk, however, could not live to see the deliverance. 

In the second reading (2 Tm 1:6-8, 13-14), St. Paul tasks Timothy to fan into flames the gift of God he received during the laying on of hands. He further states that God’s gift is not a spirit of timidity but that of power, love and self-control. He urged his son in the faith not to be ashamed of suffering but to bear hardship patiently for the sake of the gospel. Paul advised him to keep to the sound teaching in faith and love even as he guards the faith with the help of the spirit. 

The gospel (Lk 17:5-10) presents an account of how the apostles asked Jesus to increase their faith. The question is in reference to previous chapters of Luke wherein Jesus laid before the apostles the cost of discipleship and the implication of scandalising little ones. Jesus had to ask the disciples “Where is your faith?” (Luke 8:25) when they were in a boat with him and a storm occurred. He also had prayed for Peter so that his faith would not fail knowing fully well that he was going to betray him (Luke 22:32). What is interesting is the ability of the apostles to ask for the gift of faith.

Pastoral Lessons

1. Wait on the Lord: The first reading charges us to always wait on the Lord like the people of Judah as delay is not denial.

2. Harken to the Words of Scripture: The message of St. Paul in the second reading urges us to take as our norm the sound words that we hear from the apostle in the faith and love.   

3. Bear Hardships: We are reminded that faith in God does not immune us from trials, temptations and tribulations – God does not promise us a turbulence-free flight. He, however, assures us of safe landing. We are called to bear our share of hardship for the sake of the gospel with the strength that comes from the spirit.

4. Fan Your Gifts into Flames: St. Paul desires that we stir into flame the gift of God that we received during our consecration to Christ because God did not give us the spirit of cowardice but rather the spirit of power, love and self-control.            

5. Grow Your Faith: We are urged to allow the soil of faith we received at baptism to be cultivated, watered and nourished by the Holy Spirit – We must position our faith-journey on the pedestals of incremental and exponential growth like the proverbial Mustard Seed towards moving the mountains of lack, sickness, unemployment and premature death.

6. Walk by Faith: The Bible stresses that: "We walk by faith and not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7). This is the faith that makes you risk taking a taxi without asking the driver if he has a license; it is the faith that makes an expectant mother to endure the rigours of prenatal period.

7. Demonstrate Faith in Action: We are called to demonstrate faith in action - a faith by which the just one shall lives as the first reading (Hab 1:2-3; 2:2-4) suggest.    

8. Market Faith: In the wake of the current hike in the prices of goods and services as well as various forms of insecurity in our country, we continue to market hope premised on the faith that there shall be light at the end of the tunnel.  

 Homiletic Quotes to Remember

1. Prophet Habakkuk speaks for the people of Judah who were about to be overtaken by the Babylonian army.

2. Since God answers at his own time, it took seventy years for them to return to the Holy Land.

3. St. Paul tasks Timothy to fan into flames the gift of God he received during the laying on of hands.

4. The gospel presents an account of how the apostles asked Jesus to increase their faith.

5. Jesus had to ask the disciples “Where is your faith?” (Luke 8:25).

Conclusion

Our liturgy suggests that if we keep faith alive, we shall get the crown of glory. As such, we ought to take a leap of faith by countering our daily struggles with a total surrender to Christ. It is crucial to remember that real gold is only known when it is tested by fire. In like manner, true faith is only revealed through trials. May God help us to overcome every challenge on our faith-journey by “Fulfilling our duty” through Christ Our Lord. Amen.