HOMILY FOR THE 27TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR C – 2 OCTOBER 2022

HOMILY FOR THE 27TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR C – 2 OCTOBER 2022

HOMILY THEME: TO LIVE BY FAITH

BY: Fr. Gerald M. Musa

 

HOMILY: I see many people struggling to survive the present economic hardship. When there is a socio-economic crisis people easily lose faith in God and in their government; many families are in deep financial crisis and parishes witness a drop in offertory collections. Despite this bad situation, Nigerians have ways of creating sense of humour during tough times. There are many cartoons going round on social media on how people are developing food security consciousness in the economic condition. For example, one of these cartoons is a cooking pot on fire with heavy padlocks on it for protection against thieves; There are also cartoons of families who have created bunkers to store their bags of rice under maximum security; there is yet another joke about a groom who was crying over wasted rice at his wedding reception. In tough situations God seem to be far away? This critical economic situation certainly needs His urgent attention.

The prophet Habakkuk found himself in a difficult time in the history of Judah. He witnessed discord, disorder and violence. He asked questions and expressed utter disappointment at the situation of things around him. Habakkuk is unique in the way he articulated his sentiments and prayers to God. He was bold in expressing the frustrations of the people to God. Eventually, he realised that in the midst of these disorder, the righteous would live by faith. Thus, his book admonishes the people to have faith in God even during national crises.

Faith means steadfast loyalty. Faith is courage in the face of danger. It is an unshakeable and unquestionable confidence in the power of God. Paul the Apostle admonished Timothy to shun the spirit of timidity and be bold in spirit. Certainly, the good fight of faith requires the confidence and boldness that comes with faith. Therefore, with faith there are chances to do that, which is impossible, it enables us to see possibilities where others see impossibilities. Authentic faith obliterates fears, doubts and reservations. A proverb that boosts courage says, “They conquer, those who believe they can.”

We can also describe faith as holding on to the truth, to love and to God even in the midst of adversity, affliction, opposition, repression, economic recession, persecution. This was the kind of faith the prophet Habakkuk called for. Martin Luther King Jnr rightly says that the test of the quality of the human person is not where he stands in the time of prosperity, but where he stands in the face of adversity. Faith is the ability to see God even in the dark situations of life. Another name for faith is optimism and a kind of optimism that turns problems into opportunities.

 

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Jesus narrated a parable to his listeners about faith in action. According to this parable, people of faith should consider service as a God-given privilege. Authentic faith serves with joy and not necessarily for rewards, appreciation, attention, approval or praises to be obtained. Thus faith is fully expressed in personal trust in God and entrusting oneself totally to the service of others. This service requires self-sacrifice. Jesus says a servant should not expect his master to thank him for doing his work. He advises his disciples saying, “So you also, when you have done all that is commanded you, say, ‘we are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty” (Luke 17:10). Therefore, we must not expect God to thank us for doing what is right; rather we should thank him for giving us the strength and privilege to do, that which is good.

So, what does it mean to live by faith?
To live by faith is learning to trust God in all situations
To live by faith is to have a positive attitude towards life

To live by faith is boldness in the spirit. “For God did not give us the spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, love and self-control” (2 Timothy 1:7).

HOMILY FOR THE 27TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Year C; Habakkuk 1:2-3; 2:2-4; 2 Tim 1:6-8, 13-14; Luke 17:5-10

 

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