Walking with Jesus: 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time

For Sunday, October 5, 2025

Habakkuk 1:2-3, 2-2-4; 2 Timothy 1:6-8, 13-14; Luke 17:5-10


What point-blank, straightforward complaints in the readings do we find ourselves at right now?

• Habakkuk says “I’m hurting.” What is that about? God's chosen people face injustices all around: The Babylonian invasion will be violent and devastating. Will I and my loved ones live or be put into concentration camps? It seems definite that Judah and Jerusalem will be destroyed. So the question is: How long will God allow this violence and killing to go on before He intervenes? We ask: How long will it be before He answers us?
• Timothy is complaining. A disciple of Paul, he has been commissioned to preach the gospel and not to be afraid in the face of hardship. Jesus’ gospel of love should be easy to share; doesn’t everyone want and need real love in their lives? Why are they not listening and attaching themselves to belief in Jesus? In his own right, Timothy is struggling with a certain amount of cowardice coupled with terror in the face of severe rejection from the crowds. Where are you, Lord? Can’t you make it easier for people to hear Your words?
• The Apostles — Jesus’ intimate group who have been with Him for quite a time — are troubled. Their faith is shaky. Jesus has just delivered a number of parables aimed at reminding them of the danger of riches — of letting obstacles interfere with the full cost of being a disciple. He’s asking about how they are spreading His love and the condition of their prayer life ... does it show their dependence on God?
• As for each of us today: Haven’t we been in similar situations in our lives? Don’t we identify with the words “increase our faith?” Does this mean we have to give up being in charge — that we don’t control our own destinies, that we are not our own, but God’s? Let's look to the readings for help to bring these Scripture messages to our daily living.

Habakkuk sees the horribleness going on all around. He pleads with God to help, to intervene — and hears nothing. How many times have we prayed for specific intentions — a job; the health of a loved one; relationship difficulties; relieving a family, local, national or world crisis that just seems to be getting worse? Habakkuk seems to feel that the problem is God’s indifference. The circumstances are overwhelming: violence, devastation, misery, endless destruction. It just seems more than he can handle. “And the Lord responds … write down the vision … wait for help … it will come … the just one because of faith shall live.” Today the words come through Jesus: Didn’t you hear Me promise Heaven to everyone who believes in Me? Didn’t I prove my love by loving and dying? Is there anything else you need from Me to show you I love you, I always have, and you do have a place in Heaven with Me?

Psalm 95 shares an invitation to praise God for all He has done in our lives — for His gifts, His caring love, getting us through insurmountable difficulties — and leads us to a plea for openness to God’s ways so we don’t “... harden our hearts … so we can praise You because You made us and You are our God.” Am I placing myself in a command mode? Is it all about me, or is it about God?

Paul is well aware of the risks believers take in publicly professing faith in Jesus. Just look at the situation at the time: Christian believers are few; they are hugely outnumbered by the Jews. Jesus was a political threat to Roman rule and has died the death of a convicted felon. Paul has been a prisoner in jail, heavily chained — and he knows he will ultimately give his life for the sake of the Gospel. We don’t live in that atmosphere today. Paul tells Timothy that nothing should undermine his confidence because strength comes from God. Aren’t we aware of that happening in our lives? Reflect on these moments. What has God taught me?

In Luke, Jesus responds in a unique way. The Apostles ask for an increase in faith, and Jesus speaks about the characteristics of faith. Where they are interested in quantity, Jesus focuses on quality. He uses the example of the mustard seed because it is considered one of the smallest seeds. The mulberry tree has a very deep and extensive root system that makes it very difficult to uproot. Jesus uses the image of the seed metaphorically to illustrate how very little faith is needed to accomplish extraordinary feats. We don’t need more faith; we need to secure the faith we’ve been given. That brings back loads of memories of how I've wondered if I would ever get through troubling times in my life. I did — and reflecting deeply, I knew I wasn’t alone — and it wasn’t I who accomplished what was needed. It was God. Remember: Did I ever say thanks? I can do that now, and then just sit with the Lord. He’s there, loving you and me!

So I reflect on:

• I reflect on those moments when I've felt a call — a summons — to be attentive to a phrase in a magazine or book, the Bible, or just a phrase in a movie or TV presentation that awakened an instant awareness of GOD. Did I allow myself to soften my heart to listen? Why not?
• I reflect on the times I have softened my heart and listened. How can I be more attentive?

Sacred Space 2025 states:

“Mary the Mother of God said, ‘Here am, I the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to Your word.’ We are all the servants of God who does not need us for His happiness. It is we who, in the truth of our existence, need to worship our God. St. Ignatius of Loyola wrote in the Foundation Principle of his Spiritual Exercises, ‘Man is created to praise, reverence, and serve God our Lord, and by this means to save his soul.’ It is right and fitting that we should do this as we owe everything to God.”