Faith is central to this weekend’s liturgy; the readings show us why and how. The readings from the Prophet, Habakkuk (1:2-3; 2:2-4), and the Gospel of Luke (17:5-10) remind us that the Christian journey is rooted in faith, which, by the way, is a gift from God that allows us to see beyond appearances and trust in His promises.
Similarly, the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us that faith gives us confidence in God’s fidelity. When we struggle, are confused, or when God seems silent, faith takes us along to commit to Him and never give up. In today’s first reading, the Prophet Habakkuk cries out in anguish over the violence and injustice around him, but God assures him that “the just shall live by faith.” That lesson is what today’s central message holds for us.
In the Gospel, the disciples turn to Jesus with a simple but profound plea to increase their faith. Like us today, they knew their weakness, but also knew the One who could strengthen them, and so came to him. Likewise, in the second reading, St. Paul speaks to Timothy (2 Timothy 1:6-8, 13-14) from the heart of his own suffering as a prisoner, urging him to fan into a flame the gift of faith from God.
When we bring all these instructions together, they remind us that faith is not something we own, but a gift we lean on daily. Therefore, like the disciples, we ask the Lord to increase our faith, so that even in hardship we may live with courage, love, and hope. We finally pray that our lives become a witness of our faith, that, with God’s strength, even our smallest act of faith can move the mountains of backwardness and disappointments away from us. Amen!
