Fr. Augustine Inwang, MSP - October 6, 2019. Homily for the 27th Sunday in Ordinary time year C

Readings: Habakkuk 1:2-3; 2:2-4 2; Timothy 1:6-8, 13-14; Lk 17:5-10

Faith Makes the Impossible Possible

Our first reading this morning is from the prophet Habakkuk. Habakkuk is generally believed to have written his book in the mid-to-late 7th century BC, not long before the Babylonians’ siege and capture of Jerusalem in 586 BC. Habakkuk was deeply disturbed by the violence and cruelty of the Babylonians, and asked the Lord, “So why are you silent while they destroy people who are more righteous than they?” (1:13). The Lord’s answer was that he would take action in his own good time, and meanwhile, “Those who are righteous will live because they are faithful to God” (2:4). We sometimes feel like Habakkuk; frustrated and disillusioned when we witness so much destruction and bloodshed in our lands and God seems not to notice. Our faith is often tested, if not shaken, in the face of so much hatred and disregard for one another. We hear of the persecution and the incessant killing of Christians, some, while either praying in Churches or being burnt alive during the celebration of Mass. We want to cry out with Habakkuk, “How long, O Lord? I cry for help but you do not listen! I cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not intervene.”

But God tells us to be faithful. In other words, He wants us to have faith. What is faith? Faith is defined as “the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen” (Heb. 11:1). The Catechism of the Catholic Church notes that “faith is both a gift of God and a human act in response to God. In faith, the human intellect and will cooperate with divine grace. Believing is an act of the intellect assenting to the divine truth by command of the will moved by God through grace.” We are able to obey God because we cooperate with His grace. It is by so doing that the impossible things in our lives become possible.

Our faith in God should make us ready and willing to do his will. In the Gospel, the apostles asked Jesus to increase their faith. Why was this request relevant? The answer would be found in Luke 17:1-4. Here, Christ warned his apostles against being the cause of scandal or stumbling-block for others. He acknowledged that it was impossible to construct a world with no temptations; but woe to that man who taught another to sin or who took away another’s innocence. In verse 3 he said, “So watch what you do!” In the fourth verse Jesus speaks of the necessity of forgiveness in the Christian life. He tells them to forgive seven times. The difficulty of putting this teaching into practice made the apostles to ask for an increase in their faith. Without faith and the grace of God, we cannot obey his command or put his teaching into practice.

In response to the apostles’ request, Jesus said, “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.” Jesus made it clear that faith is the greatest force in the world. With faith we can do the impossible. Our faith is not dependent on the size or quantity, but on the quality and its effectiveness. With faith, even the things that look completely impossible become possible. If we approach any task with the belief that it cannot be done, it will probably not be done; but if we approach it saying, “It must be done,” the chances are that it will. We know that we approach no task alone, but that with us there is God and all his power.    

Faith is not jumping to a conclusion; it is rather concluding to jump into the arms of God our Father unconditionally. It is accepting that Jesus is the Son of God; and believing in the words he spoke and in his power. It is “By this faith a just man lives” (Gal. 3:11). This is the kind of faith that can draw poison from every grief, take the sting from every loss and quench the fire of every pain. It is this faith that can be compared, as Jesus does, to a “tiny mustard seed.” Because, as the power of the seed does not depend on its size but on the life hidden within itself, so the power of our faith does not depend on its quantity but on its quality.  This faith and trust in the power of God to transform our lives, will enable us to struggle against sins in ourselves, and avoid causing scandal in others. It will make it possible to forgive all hurts done to us and help us wait on God to act on our behalf. Our faith must be living, practical and trustworthy.

Paul reminds Timothy in the second reading, not to forget the gifts of the Holy Spirit he received when he was ordained a minister. “I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control” (2 Tim. 1:6-7). Timothy should not be intimidated by the hardships, opposition and difficulties he encountered in Ephesus. These should not deter or dampen his spirit but strengthen his faith to remain strong, and resolute in his mission. The apostles too sensed the difficulties of their mission and so cried out for an increase of faith.

Following Christ is never easy for anyone. It was not easy for Christ to obey the will of His Father either. On the Cross He cried out too, “Eloi Eloi lama sabachthani?”, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Psalm 22:2). Jesus urged us to have a strong faith. If our faith is strong, we should be afraid of nothing; nothing should shake or disturb us. “Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever” (Ps. 125:1). Doing the will of God will never be easy for anyone. Yet those who follow Him are on the right path. They have to fight the good fight and yet be humble enough to say, “We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.” In the face of difficulties, violence, persecution and tribulation, we must wait on the Lord. “I waited patiently for the Lord’s help; then he listened to me and heard my cry. He pulled me out of a dangerous pit, out of the deadly quicksand. He set me safely on a rock and made me secure” (Ps. 40:1-2). For “I alone know the plans I have for you, plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring about the future you hope for. Then you will call to me. You will come and pray to me, and I will answer you. You will seek me, and you will find me because you will seek with all your heart” (Jer. 29:11-13). We should learn to wait or hope diligently and earnestly, patiently and perseveringly, until God should be pleased to help us.

We know that God did not call us to be successful but witnesses so, let us pray, that we may not wait for our God in vain; and that he may increase our faith, so that we may not be intimidated by the troubles of this world. May we commit ourselves to a life of prayer, to our baptismal vows and our call to be missionary disciples. Amen.