Readings
I - Hab. 1: 2-3; 2: 2-4
II - 2 Tim. 1: 6-8, 13-14
III - Lk. 17: 5-10
THE RIGHTEOUS SHALL LIVE BY FAITH
The three readings of the day focus on the steadfastness in the life of faith. The readings invites to focus on God in enduring the pain, sorrow, frustration and failure that we encounter in our life with an utmost faith in Him. Surrounded by violence, strife and contention prophet Habakkuk in first reading cries to God for his help and action. God comforts and emboldens him saying, “The righteous shall live by his faith”. In the second reading, St. Paul in his letter to the Timothy, encourages him to bear testimony about the Lord and share in the suffering of the Gospel in faith because God has given us a spirit of power and not timidity. In the Gospel reading, Jesus speaks of the power of faith even as mustard seed, to work great things in life. Even a credible Christian living becomes possible only to the person of faith.
To live for the Lord is our commitment and there should never be a compromise, come what may. We may get easily exhausted and discouraged by the powers and atrocities of the world like prophet Habakkuk or the people of Israel or Timothy. But, faith helps us to accept things as they are with a strong and large heart full of the power of love. God has given us the spirit of power and love and self-control. All we need is to focus on Him with faith and in love. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, help us to stand steadfast in faith”.
