FAITHFULNESS OF A SERVANT.
October 2, 2022.
Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time - C.
“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.” Lk 17:6
An Arab proverb says: “The strength of the heart comes from the soundness of the faith.” And a Persian proverb adds: “Doubt makes the mountain which faith can move.”
Faithfulness is the virtue of those who have faith. It is also one of the greatest attributes every servant should develop. Faithfulness is the virtue of the disciples. As the Lord's followers, we live by our firm faith that we put in him, by our strong hope in the life he promised, and by a vivid love for him as our Lord and Savior. Our lives are fashioned by these theological virtues of faith, hope, and love. Moreover, we are nothing and can do nothing without faith.
Obviously, the theme that links beautifully today's readings is faith. It is about a faith that makes live, a faith that gives meaning and strength to discipleship, and a faith that works miracles. About faith, the Catechism says: “Now, however, "we walk by faith, not by sight"; we perceive God as "in a mirror, dimly" and only "in part". Even though enlightened by him in whom it believes, faith is often lived in darkness and can be put to the test. the world we live in often seems very far from the one promised us by faith. Our experiences of evil and suffering, injustice and death, seem to contradict the Good News; they can shake our faith and become a temptation against it.” CCC 164
In the first reading, through the Prophet Habakkuk, the people of God are exhorted to not give up, but keep firm their faith. The people were getting discouraged because of the many happenings, hardships, violence, and tribulations. The Lord sent the prophet to tell them that he is faithful to his promises. If the prophecy seems to delay, it won't however lie. If it seems slow to be fulfilled they should wait patiently for it. And then comes the beautiful message, not only for Israel, but also for you and me today: “The upright man will live by his faithfulness.”
No one can live before the Lord and be saved without faith. All is made possible only through faith and by faith. In the Gospel the Lord Jesus emphasizes that with the disciples. They asked him to increase their faith. And the Lord answered: "Were your faith the size of a mustard seed you could say to this mulberry tree, “Be uprooted and planted in the sea,” and it would obey you." What matters is not the size of faith, but its deepness, its consistency. A little faith can do great miracles if that is that it is consistent and genuine. For, faith is a very powerful force that can change all situation and capable of unhoped-of results.
Many are they who seek miracles day and night. They come to church or pray only because of miracle. How many are they not, the Christians who day and night send mass intentions and petitions for academic success, new job, family stability, financial and economic stability, fecundity and parenthood... All these are nice and good. But what should come first is a firmness of faith. For, if we are firm in our relationship with the Lord, he will always give us what we need. For certain, faith is not something that entitles us for miracles, but it helps us understand and see the Lord at work in us. Faith itself is a divine gift, one of the greatest gifts of the Spirit of God that open us to a right understanding of our lives and find a reason for happiness in everything we go through. Faith is what opens us to hope and leads us to love. Without faith there will be no hope. Without hope no love. And without love life becomes a succession of darkness and sorrows.
As Christians, we should always keep alive our faith, never let it fade or vanish. Like a little flame, it needs to be fanned and nourished.
Moreover, faith is not something one should be ashamed of. It is sad that many Christians, especially Catholics are ashamed or afraid to profess publicly their faith and belongingness to the Church. Many fear to give or put any external sign that could lead to know where they belong to in terms of faith. Some people never pray the Rosary in public. Making the sign of the Cross they do it precipitately or shamefully. To them and to those who live the Christianity of the wardrobe, St. Paul says: “Do not be ashamed of testifying to our Lord.” We need the courage of faith and boldness to live our Christianity in public and take up our responsibilities as Christians in the world. This will surely be not without sufferings and trials but may we never forget that the cross is our identity card.
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