Daily Readings - Sun Oct 06 2019
Habakkuk
2And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.3For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.4Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.
2 Timothy
6Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.7For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.8Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;13Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.14That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.
Luke
5And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.6And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.7But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat?8And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink?9Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not.10So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful messages about faith, trust, and humble service. The prophet Habakkuk cries out to God in the midst of suffering and injustice, questioning why God seems slow to act. Yet, God’s response is clear: “Write the vision… and wait for it, for it will surely come.” This reminds us that even in uncertainty, we must trust in God’s timing and plan. In the second reading, St. Paul urges Timothy to embrace his faith without fear, to hold fast to the truth, and to guard the gift of God within him. This is a call to perseverance and courage in living out our faith, even when it is challenging.
The Gospel offers a complementary lesson. The Apostles ask Jesus to increase their faith, and Jesus responds with a parable about a servant who simply does what is expected. He emphasizes that faith, even as small as a mustard seed, is sufficient to accomplish great things. However, true faith is not about seeking recognition or reward but about faithfully fulfilling our duties with humility. Jesus teaches us that we are called to serve without expectation of praise, recognizing that we are merely doing what is required of us as disciples.
These readings invite us to reflect on our own relationship with God and our approach to living out our faith. Like Habakkuk, we may face moments of doubt or frustration, but we are called to trust in God’s providence. Like Timothy, we are reminded to stand firm in our faith, even when it is tested. And like the servants in the Gospel, we are called to live out our faith with humility and integrity, recognizing that our ultimate reward comes not from human recognition but from God alone. May we cultivate a faith that is patient, persistent, and rooted in trust, and may we serve others with the same humility and love that Christ has shown us.