Reflection by Jim Quillinan; author of Along the Track.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us that
Christian faith sets out to move a person from within to wonder, to question, to seek greater understanding. (CCC158)
The three readings today also remind us that faith is something to be lived, that is how it grows and flourishes, despite setbacks or doubts or questions or struggles to understand, especially when we feel God may be absent.
The readings today ask us to remember that faith is not a feeling but rather a living, active and persevering relationship with God, despite uncertainties or questions in our journey to seek greater understanding.
Habakkuk’s plea ‘How long, Lord, am I to cry for help while you will not listen; to cry ‘Oppression’ in your ear and you will not save?’ – is perhaps similar to one that we have prayed when we feel unjustly treated or when we are confronted by suffering or when we feel God is absent or not listening. Habakkuk was not frightened to bring his confusion, fear and pain before God. The prophet did not fear being considered ‘unrighteous’ because he expressed his doubts and uncertainties. On the contrary, God responds by inviting Habakkuk to continue to trust, but not to expect immediate deliverance or results because there is much to learn by waiting, by seeking to wonder and question; the faithful person is not the one who has all the answers, but rather the one who continues to listen and trust in God,
God does not bring immediate deliverance and remedy, but rather a call to
wait and to trust.
Saint Paul, writing to Timothy, uses another wonderful image of faith, a flame. In the face of
challenges, uncertainties, and fear, we should ‘fan into a flame the gift that God gave
you… not a spirit of timidity, but the Spirit of power, and love, and self-control’. Faith,
in Paul’s understanding, is a gift, a fire that must be tended. Left untended – buried under fear, distraction, or discouragement, it ceases to be source of strength, courage, and love for believers, a gift unused and wasted.
As the apostles grow in their relationship with Jesus and an understanding of his message it is not a surprising request to ask him to ‘Increase our faith!’. We may have made similar requests at various times in our own lives, especially in those times and in those circumstances when life starts to become more difficult and we need to seek some greater understanding. Life throws up questions and doubts and sometimes we can become discouraged, disillusioned. “Help us out here,’ the apostles say. As do we sometimes.
But the response from Jesus is probably not what the apostles were expecting. In effect, Jesus tells the apostles that faith is not about quantity – how much faith we think we might have – but rather about authenticity. Is our faith real or does it focus on the rules and regulations and formulas? Is it centred upon where it should be. Jesus’ example of the mustard seed reminds his apostles that the smallest amount of genuine faith is powerful beyond all human measure because it is not about us; rather it is based on the One in whom we place our trust. A mustard seed, the tiniest of seeds is a reminder that genuine faith, faith rooted in God, can do the impossible.
The short parable that comes at the end of today’s Gospel passage concerns the servant. Often it is the short parables of Jesus that pack the greatest punch!
The servant does that which is expected of him with no expectation of thanks or reward.
serving others in love, and through remaining faithful in the small, often unnoticed moments of life, the things so often taken for granted. It is another reminder that faith is something to be lived, it is a gift, Jesus is saying, it is not about earning God’s favour or applause; faith is about doing what is right simply because it is right, even when no one notices. It requires us to be everything we can possibly be: kind, generous, just, honest, loving, forgiving and compassionate. Faith can enable us to be fully human, to live life to the full.
Faith waits patiently, acts courageously, and serves humbly.
