“Lord, increase our faith.”
Sunday, October 5th, is the Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, which speaks to us about faith in difficult times. There are times in our lives when difficulties and disappointments can challenge our faith. At such times we feel somewhat guilty because we may feel our faith is not what it should be. In such times, we need to preserve the faith we do have. This Sunday, our readings address such issues.
Our first reading is from the Book of the Prophet Habakkuk who wrote towards the end of the seventh century before the common era to the beginning of the sixth century before the common era. He was addressing those who had returned from exile. His time was marked by chaos and lawlessness. The people suffered violence and injustice at the hands of the Babylonians. Habakkuk seeks answers from God through this difficult time. The prophet is promised a vision and told to wait for the vision. The reading ends with the words”…the just one because of his faith will live.”
In our second reading from St. Paul’s Second Letter to Timothy, Paul encourages Timothy to have courage through the difficult time he is facing. He reminds Timothy that “he has not received a Spirit of cowardice but one of power, love and self-control. “ The last words in the second reading are “Guard this rich trust (faith) with the help of the Holy Spirit that dwells within.” In short, our faith must be protected and must grow and must be strengthened. Faith is given to us by the grace of God.
In the Gospel, the disciples ask Jesus to increase their faith. The faith of which they are seeking is not only a faith to believe in Jesus, but the faith that leads to hope, to understanding, and to be on fire with the conviction of our faith. They are seeking faith that gets us through difficult situations.
Where are we in these readings? So many of us are going through difficult times. Some people have lost jobs and are facing financial difficulties, some are facing chronic health problems for themselves or for someone they love. Many are facing social problems. Some are new to the neighborhood and cannot find a place to fit in. Still others may be facing marital issues or are lonely, facing issues of depression and insecurity in the job market. Some in all categories are facing serious health issues. Where do we go with these chronic problems? How does one find hope and a way to believe that he or she will get through this difficult time? How do people of faith face these situations?
Do we believe that things will change? How do we get the energy to help ourselves? How does one pray in these moments? Listen to Paul. Listen to Habakkuk. Hold on, God has not abandoned you.
Things will get better with prayer. Prayer will help you to help yourself. Faith grows when we take the courage to step out and seek the help we need. Prayer and reflection on our lives in the presence of God can move us to connect with the right doctor the right counselor, the right job, the right help that we need. Prayer may help you to be courageous to face the difficulties, to seek a solution to the difficult situation, and to survive and grow through difficulties that you are facing. Take courage, you have the Holy Spirit deep within you. Things will get better in ways you may never have dreamed.
Msgr. Guy A. Massie
October 5, 2025