Daily Readings - Sun Oct 02 2022
Habakkuk
2And the LORD answered me: "Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it.3For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end--it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.4"Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him, but the righteous shall live by his faith.
2 Timothy
6For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands,7for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.8Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God,13Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.14By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.
Luke
5The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!"6And the Lord said, "If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it would obey you.7"Will any one of you who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep say to him when he has come in from the field, 'Come at once and recline at table'?8Will he not rather say to him, 'Prepare supper for me, and dress properly, and serve me while I eat and drink, and afterward you will eat and drink'?9Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded?10So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.'"
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of faith, trust, and our relationship with God. In the first reading from Habakkuk, the prophet cries out to God in frustration, questioning why injustice and suffering persist. God’s response is not an immediate resolution but a call to trust in His timing and plan. The vision, though delayed, will surely come to pass. This reminds us that our faith must endure even when the answers we seek are not immediate.
The second reading from 2 Timothy encourages us to embrace our faith with courage and perseverance. St. Paul reminds us that God has given us a spirit of power, love, and self-discipline, not fear. We are called to hold fast to the teachings of the Gospel, even when it is challenging. This reading complements the first by emphasizing that faith is not passive but active—it requires us to stand firm and trust in God’s grace, even in the face of adversity.
In the Gospel, Luke presents Jesus teaching the disciples about the power of faith and the humility required of those who follow Him. Faith, even as small as a mustard seed, can move mountains. Yet, Jesus also reminds us that serving God is not about seeking recognition or reward but about faithfully doing what is required of us. The readings together remind us that faith is a gift that must be nurtured, trusted, and lived out in humble service. Let us ask for the grace to grow in faith, to trust in God’s plan, and to serve Him with humility and perseverance.