Daily Readings - Sun Oct 02 2022
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
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.