Saint Rita Catholic Church and School in Webster, NY - An Introduction to Sunday's Scripture Readings

“The Just One, Because Of His Faith, Shall Live”

Our readings today show us an aspect of faith that we rarely consider. It is a faith borne out of hope for salvation despite our current sufferings. It is realized through the charity of a servant heart.

Our first reading is from the Prophet Habakkuk (Hab 1:2-3, 2:2-4). Habakkuk was writing during a time of tyranny and oppression in Judah. The evil and hardship of Habakkuk's lament in today’s reading is not unlike our own today, as we struggle to understand God's ways in dealing with our ways. God's response to Habakkuk was one of patience and faith. The vision God refers to is the promise of Salvation. Even if delayed, it will surely come and it will not disappoint.

Our Epistle reading (2 Timothy 1:6-8, 13-14) is from one of St. Paul’s letters from prison to his disciple Timothy, offering words of encouragement as Timothy continued with the pastoral work begun by Paul. St. Paul reminds us to “stir into flame” God’s gift we received at Baptism and Confirmation— “the spirit of power and love and self control.” It is not a spirit of cowardice; we should never feel ashamed of our faith or afraid to defend it. This letter to Timothy is often taken to heart by pastors as a guide to their ministry. We, too, in our baptismal role as priest, prophet, and king, can take it to heart.

In our Gospel reading (Luke 17:5-10), we hear an exchange between the apostles and Jesus that, at first reading, sounds odd. To their request to “increase our faith”, Jesus told them even a small amount of faith can move mountains. Then He told them that they should be as servants, seeking no reward for their service to their master. What He may have been telling them was that they will find their faith in service to others. Jesus was the living example of this selfless servant. Our task is simply to do our duty, to do what God asks of us. That is our faith.

Jesus' instruction that we must be like servants, simply doing our duty, may make more sense when we consider what Jesus said in His own words, “The Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28). He may be telling us that faith is realized through service to others and service is its own reward. He taught us this not only by His words but by His life and example. It is the life He calls us to live. Our faith is our duty.

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/100525.cfm