OT XXVII -C Hb 1:2-3; 2:2-4; II Tm 1:6-8, 13-14; Lk 17:5-10

When author Laverne W. Hall was asked her definition of faith, she couched it in the following narrative. Summer sun and a lack of rain had left the fields parched and brown. As they tended their wilting crops, the townspeople worriedly searched the sky for any sign of relief. Days turned into arid weeks and still no rain came. The ministers of the local churches announced that there would be a special service to pray for rain on the following Saturday. They requested that everyone bring an object of Faith for inspiration. At the appointed hour, everyone turned out en masse, filling the town square with anxious faces and hopeful hearts. The ministers were touched to see the variety of objects clutched in prayerful hands; prayer books, Bibles, crosses, rosaries, etc. Just as the hour of prayer was concluding, and as if by some Divine cue, a soft rain began to fall. Cheers swept the crowd as they held their treasured objects high in gratitude and praise. From the middle of the crowd, one faith symbol seemed to overshadow all the others; a small nine-year-old child had brought an umbrella! Without speaking a word, the child enunciated that quality of authentic Faith which expresses itself in commitment. By bringing the umbrella, the child affirmed the fact that Faith is more than intellectual assent to a set of revealed truths or theological doctrines. (Patricia Datchuck Sánchez)

All three readings today speak a lot about "Faith” and how it works in our lives. The first reading defines Faith as trusting in God and living with fidelity to the Covenant. The second reading presents Faith as our acceptance of Jesus as the fulfillment of the promises of God.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus teaches his Apostles that Faith allows us to share in God’s power, and, hence, even in small quantities, it enables Him to work miracles in our lives and in the lives of others. It is Faith which makes one just, putting him into right relation with God and neighbor. 

Using a master-servant parable, Jesus also teaches them that, for Faith to be effective, it must be linked with trust, loving obedience and total commitment — an active submission to God and a willingness to do whatever He commands, even in tough times.

Habakkuk was a minor prophet who lived during the fall of Jerusalem in 586 B.C. and encouraged his fellow Jews to retain their Faith during this disaster. He interprets Faith as a persistent confidence in God's saving power.

Habakkuk called out to the Lord because of the violence that surrounded him. Destruction, violence, strife, contention, these had become the norm of the day. Habakkuk was frustrated because the Lord was not taking control of the situation. For the Prophet, who loved his country, it was a trial beyond his understanding. The situation in Jerusalem was a severe test of his faith. God promised to Abraham, decedents like the numerous stars of heaven, and   as the gains of sand in the desert. He promised to David an everlasting Kingdom. But the ravaging that was taking place in Jerusalem made them feel that these promises would never be fulfilled. The faith of the Prophet and the pious people was shaken. They cried to God and reminded Him of his promises. Then God assured him in a vision to hold on to his faith and all the promises would be fulfilled. “It comes slowly; wait, for it will come, without fail.”

Jesus did not ask the Apostles to move trees or mountains, but rather to forgive their repentant brothers and sisters.  Such a requirement demands Faith, and the Apostles responded by asking that their faith be increased to meet such a demanding challenge.  Jesus reminds them that it is not the greatness of their Faith, but rather the greatness of God’s power working through them that will move mountains (Mt 17:20; Mk 11:23). Forgiveness is a gift of God’s grace, activated through Faith.  When a person of Faith is trustingly receptive to God’s power, all things become possible — even moving mountains or forgiving bitter enemies. 

Like Prophet Habakkuk, Timothy and the Apostles, we too have to stand some tests in our life. We experience dark moments when everything goes wrong. We experience anguish and anxiety that all the promises seem to be shattered, and we feel being alienated and estranged. But at these moments God reassures us with His support as He did Prophet Habakkuk.

Whenever doubt and troubles overtake us Jesus is at our side reassuring us. But He wants that our faith is increased by serving others, not by being served. Faith is increased when we manifest our love towards others, our family, friends and strangers. Let’s put on our apron and wait on the Lord and others and manifest and strengthen our faith through service. If we feel that our faith is not strong enough, like the Apostles, let’s pray: Lord increase our faith.