Habakkuk 1:2-3,2:2-4; Psalsm 94(95); 2 Timothy 1:6-8,13-14; Luke 17:5-10
The Call to Duty
Dear friends, today is the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time. Today, the readings are talking about the duty of a servant and the value of remaining steadfast and faithful. As human beings, it is our duty to promote the common good. Being a person who performs his or her duties faithfully is a very difficult commitment. It requires a lot of self-discipline, especially when faced with challenges, persecution, and injustices. Being baptized is one thing, and remaining faithful to the baptismal demands is completely another. Do you think you are a self-disciplined person? Do you perform your duties faithfully and timely manner?
In the first reading, the prophet Habakkuk is lamenting the suffering of the just people while the wicked go scold free. During his time, the Babylonians occupied Israel and took the people into captivity. All this time, the Lord seemed not to care. God answered him in a vision and assured him that He would intervene, but in His own time. What was required of the just man was to remain steadfast in faith. Many lose faith because they want God to swing into action whenever they call upon Him.
This is where many of us find difficulty in following Christ. We always start very well, and as long as things are going our way, we remain faithful. However, as soon as challenges set in, we begin to lose faith. The time of God is always the right time; however, many find it difficult to wait for Him to intervene. Thus, they are easily deceived by false prophets who make them believe that they (prophets) have the power to make God act faster.
In the second reading, St. Paul urges Timothy to remain firm because the gift of God given to him was not a spirit of timidity. In this world, we have many well-intentioned people who are afraid to do the right thing because of the circumstances around them. The values of the kingdom of God contradict human inclinations. This is why it is difficult for many to accept them. Many prophets were persecuted and killed because they condemned the world order of their time. Jesus himself was crucified because he contradicted the systems of his day.
Today, we are faced with the same situation. For example, fighting child marriage, female genital mutilation, and discrimination against women, children, and youth has made my mission not only difficult but also very risky. Many of my parishioners want to live by Christian values, but their cultural systems won’t allow them. Can you imagine that? In other places, people abandon their faith because of the company they keep. They are too ashamed to declare their values. Are you in such a situation?
In the Gospel, the disciples of Jesus ask Him to increase their faith. Jesus tells them that if they had faith as small as a mustard seed, they would do wonders. This is because faith is not measured by its quantity but by its authenticity. It means that they did not have faith at all. Maybe they should have asked Jesus to give them faith. You cannot increase what is not there. In John 6, Jesus did not call down bread from heaven when he fed five thousand people but he increased what the disciples had. You cannot give what you do not have. A teacher who is not well-trained cannot transfer knowledge to their students. A fake technician will destroy your machinery. A false prophet will destroy souls. What do you have that you would like the Lord to increase?
Jesus then talks about duty. When we perform what is due to us, we do not qualify for extra privileges. It is corruption that make us seek more than we deserve. Corruption is the abuse of entrusted power for personal gain or selfish purposes. It happens when we use our positions, whether in government, business, or community, for our own gain instead of serving the common good. Take, for instance, a public officer who is paid a good salary to serve the people, yet seeks bribes before rendering those services. This is what cripples development in society.
Others complain while performing the duties of the vocation or career they themselves chose. If all of us performed our duties without lamenting or seeking bribes and privileges, the world would be a better place. The time wasted by delays in public offices slows down development and is the leading cause of poverty and suffering for many in society. Ending corruption starts with you and me. Are you corrupt?
Dear friends, let us introspect and see if we are faithfully performing the duties pertaining to our specific vocations and careers. Maybe we are contributing to the growth of society, or we are the cause of suffering for many people.
Blessed Sunday.
Fr. Lawrence Muthee, SVD
SVD JAMBO KENTAN 