03/10/2010 - 27TH. SUNDAY IN ORDINARY SEASON - C
1Reading Hab 1,2-3;2,2-4 Psalm 94 2Reading 2Tim 1,6-8.13-14 Gospel Lk 17,5-10
"So you are never to be ashamed of witnessing to the Lord, or ashamed
of me for being his prisoner; but with me, bear the hardships for the sake of
the Good News". This is how the apostle addresses himself to his faithful
disciple Timothy. The situation of the disciple seem to have not been very different
from the one we are today. To say that we are disciples of the crucified and
to behave like him seem to be an occasion to receive insults or kept at a distance.
It is of great help to know the sufferings that other brethren in the faith
have to endure, in particular those who live in place where they are set apart,
or even stopped from expressing their faith, or even imprisoned. If there are
men and women who because of the gift of faith have to endure violence and injustices
because of Jesus, why would I want to show my faith with all it entails?
Faith is necessary to live, to live without being carried away by internal impulses
that are either selfish or jealous, or even with vengeance. Jesus answers his
apostles who express a problem and inability to forgive when a brother does
them wrong. Faith is necessary to forgive. One doesn't need much; faith can
be measured: we don't find an inch tape to measure it. We one speaks of little
or great faith, it is a sign that we don't know it and we don't practice it.
One could say that we make use of faith when we sometimes, or always, use it
to make choices or take decisions. Jesus says in fact that with regards to faith
one needs as much as a mustard seed: such a seed is really small! Make an act
of faith and you will se great things happening, or better one shall see God
working out great things for those who trust him as a father.
Faith in God is always marked with obedience and love, a deep rooted love. The
one who loves, obeys, who obeys loving does not seek to be paid back. Jesus
explains it with a short parable that of the servant who gets back home from
work to start working again, as if suck tiredness is a duty and doesn't think
to avoid it. This servant doesn't look for himself, because he doesn't love
like a servant, but like a son. This is our faith: it should be a push forward
in obedience, in humility, in the certitude of being loved without seeing the
fruit.
This is the faith that keeps us alive, because faith is the source of life,
as the prophet Habakuk says to us today. The prophet speaks of difficult and
painful situations, full of violence and injustices. Who believes is not to
be afraid, because if he truly believes, he can rely on the power of God's love.
Therefore even Timothy though he was journeying surely in the midst of difficulties
and persecutions, it's because he feels rich in faith and love. Let us trust
our faith to act on our behalf every moment during the day and in all our actions.
Our faith is not to be an on off bulb, but on going and stable. If it's not
so, it's not faith but another measure, a selfish interest. If faith is not
on going, the obedient love that calls it won't be that of a son, but of that
of a slave who thinks of being paid and not the joy of his lord.
Our ministry is in the Reign of God and for the Reign of God: it's a great honor
to serve for this purpose. There is no reward for this if not the power to continue
to work for. We are to busy ourselves only to be worthy and capable instruments.
It shall be necessary to purify the heart and the faith: if we are carried away
by the idols of the world, we won't be ready for God and every ministry in the
Church will be a burden, especially if we don't receive any appreciation. Let
us take care of faith to love the world in a pure and holy way!