Scripture Reflection for the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time
October 3, 2004
Got Faith?
It's easy enough to talk about. In fact, it pops up in some form almost every Sunday. But how do you know if you truly have it? How do you know you have enough of it? How would answer if someone asked you the question, "Got faith?"
Everyday Trials
We are faced with discouraging situations almost every day. The commute is horrible. The job is disheartening. The bills are too high. The wage is too low. The kids are fighting. The spouse is angry. And on Sunday morning you just want to stay in bed.
Some of us have more serious issues to face. Life-threatening accidents or illnesses, relationships broken beyond repair, true depression that cannot be overcome by positive thinking or changes in lifestyle, or any number of other things may seem too overwhelming for us.
And if we stop to look at the tragedies taking place around the world, we can very easily feel like simply giving up.
A Little Goes a Long Way
In the first reading, Habakkuk was losing faith. He was facing his everyday trials, feeling overwhelmed, and crying out to God in frustration. God replies and one thing He says is that "the vision still has its time... and will not disappoint". Habakkuk is told that the just person, because of his faith, will live.
God doesn't tell Habakkuk, "He with the greatest faith shall live." Nor does He say that a person with faith won't have any troubles. The Lord basically says that with a little faith and a little patience, things will work out.
In essence, Jesus says the same thing through the parable of the mustard seed. And the irony of his example should not be overlooked, either. According to Jesus, with faith the size of a mustard seed -- the smallest of all seeds -- we can move mountains. We don't need faith that's bigger than the mountain, because a little goes a long way.
Have Faith in Faith
One of the biggest challenges we face as Christians today is challenge of having faith in the little faith we have. Personally, I often feel like I have faith the size of a mustard seed, and I look upon it as being small and insignificant. How can my little bit of faith make any difference at all in this great big world of ours?
Yet according to Jesus, my little bit of faith can move mountains. My mustard seed can make a difference if I let it. If I truly believe the words of our Lord and Savior, then I'll trust in my bit o' faith and when someone asks, "Got faith?" I'll give them a confident "yes!"
Life Applications:
What trials do you face that make you question your faith?
How do you continue to have faith in the face of adversity?
Got faith?
Copyright 2004 by Brandon Jubar
All rights reserved.
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