DAILY- HOMILY

OCTOBER 3, 2010
27TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – C

HABAKKUK 1:2-3, 2:2-4
How long, Yahweh, am I to cry for help while you will not listen; to
cry, 'Violence!' in your ear while you will not save? Why do you make
me see wrong-doing, why do you countenance oppression? Plundering and
violence confront me, contention and discord flourish. Then Yahweh
answered me and said, 'Write the vision down, inscribe it on tablets
to be easily read. For the vision is for its appointed time, it
hastens towards its end and it will not lie; although it may take some
time, wait for it, for come it certainly will before too long. 'You
see, anyone whose heart is not upright will succumb, but the upright
will live through faithfulness.'

SECOND TIMOTHY 1:6-8, 13-14
That is why I am reminding you now to fan into a flame the gift of God
that you possess through the laying on of my hands. God did not give
us a spirit of timidity, but the Spirit of power and love and self-
control. So you are never to be ashamed of witnessing to our Lord, or
ashamed of me for being his prisoner; but share in my hardships for
the sake of the gospel, relying on the power of God Keep as your
pattern the sound teaching you have heard from me, in the faith and
love that are in Christ Jesus. With the help of the Holy Spirit who
dwells in us, look after that precious thing given in trust.

LUKE 17:5-10
The apostles said to the Lord, 'Increase our faith.' The Lord replied,
'If you had faith like a mustard seed you could say to this mulberry
tree, "Be uprooted and planted in the sea," and it would obey you.
'Which of you, with a servant ploughing or minding sheep, would say to
him when he returned from the fields, "Come and have your meal at
once"? Would he not be more likely to say, "Get my supper ready;
fasten your belt and wait on me while I eat and drink. You yourself
can eat and drink afterwards"? Must he be grateful to the servant for
doing what he was told? So with you: when you have done all you have
been told to do, say, "We are useless servants: we have done no more
than our duty." '

REFLECTION
Today's scripture readings are centered on faith. The first reading
starts with a protest by the prophet Habakkuk about human violence and
misery. It ends with God's promise to set right these wrongs in his
own good time. In the meantime we must live by faith.

The gospel reading gives us one of the best examples of faith in all
scripture, when the apostles ask Jesus to increase their faith.
Pleased with their request, Jesus seems to say: "I am glad that you
asked me for an increase of faith. Because if you had faith even the
size of a tiny mustard seed, you have power to command trees to be
uprooted and transplanted into the sea." These words of Jesus are an
acknowledgment that faith is indeed a key factor in our lives. Not
only that, but also as a caution that it is the quality of faith
rather than the quantity of faith that needs to be increased. That is
why Jesus compares faith to a tiny mustard seed – a living thing whose
power does not depend on its size, but on its life principle that is
hidden deep within itself. Unless we understand this distinction, we
run the risk of deceiving ourselves. We can easily end up thinking
that the more prayers we say, the more faith we have. Or that the more
good works we do, the stronger our faith becomes.

Multiplying prayers and good works, as if faith were some kind of
spiritual stockpile, is to miss the meaning of faith. Faith is more
like life itself. It is something that can grow in a qualitative sense
and become deeper, richer and more fruitful. Faith is more than
praying with bowed heads and clasped hands. Faith is a jump, but it is
not jumping to a conclusion. Faith is rather concluding to jump into
the hands of God our Father, unconditionally accepting that Jesus is
his Son and believing in the words he spoke and in the power he
possesses. It is by this faith that a just man lives. It is this faith
that can draw out the poison that is in every sorrow and quench the
fire in every pain. Only with such faith can we trust the past to the
mercy of God, the present to his love and the future to his
providence.

St. Paul tells us: "Bear your share of hardships which the gospel
entails with the strength that comes from God." This is because it is
in the fire of affliction that our faith is best tested. Jesus himself
never defined faith in the gospels. But from all he said about it, we
might define it as an unconditional acceptance of Jesus as the Son of
God.

We have faith, then, if we believe in the words that Jesus spoke and
in the power he possesses. It does not follow that faith will give us
the power to literally move trees. But faith will give us power to
cope with difficulties and attempt great things for the Lord.

We may not understand why the Lord allows certain things to happen to
us, but we will still put our faith in him. We may not understand why
the Lord demands that we let go of certain things, but we will still
trust in him and accept his discipline. We may not understand why he
invites us to take on new challenges, but we will still believe in him
and say "Yes" to his challenges.

Yes, faith illumines; it opens the door to understanding. It gives
assurance, it shows meaning in life. No life of hope and charity is
possible without a living faith. Jesus wants our happiness and life.
Yet, the way he shows us often frightens us. But those who take it as
a challenge, believe his words and follow him, will arrive at the
conviction that Jesus is truly a liberating force.

A living faith is essential in everyday life. Faith generates courage
and engenders a sense of values. It makes our striving meaningful.
Faith cures. We read often in the gospels that Jesus could not work
any miracles in a particular place because of their lack of faith. If
our prayers are not answered, it is often because our faith is weak.
We do not have full trust and confidence in the Lord who still works
wonders. So, let us join the apostles and say "Lord, increase our
faith".

PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray …
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the
unborn.
… for the speedy recovery and healing of
- Susan
- Cecilia San Juan, Melmar Magno, Lea Ting, Jun Nabua Charing
Martinez
- Jo Marcelo, Jun Lee, Mon Torres, Peping Torres, John Lawrence
- Lydia, Kevin Francis Christian, Darlita, Pamela, Kwai
- Renzo M. Ponce De Leon,Dr. Janet Santos, Patrick Lara, Carlito
Mangapit, Fernando Brimbuela
- Abraham A
… for the personal intentions of
- Nikolai Cortez, Aydin Cortez, Karl Cortez, Maureen Cortez, Rex
Cortez
- Bong Lacida
- Josheil Dapo
- Francis Torres
… In Thanksgiving: Peter and Christine Kairuz, Jun Nabua, Cecila San
Juan, Lea Ting
… for the eternal repose of the souls of
- Antonia Lagura
- Somit Oliver
- Arnold Cabatingan
- Angel Pe
- Josifina, Juan Sr., Iluminada, Leoncio, Trinidad, Ciano, Mam Inday,
Jen-Jen
Eternal rest grant unto them and may perpetual light shine upon them.
May they and all the dearly departed rest in peace.
… for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- In Memoriam (+): Peter Ong
… for world peace and reconciliation.

Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers
and for those who need our prayers the most.

Have a good day!

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