DEACON ALAN LAYDEN’S HOMILIES

October 7, 2007

Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

It’s all about Faith!

About a month ago, when I spent a moment looking ahead to today’s readings.  I thought to myself, “Oh, No!”   As I started reading Habakkuk, it became difficult to read, because in the first part it reminded me of one of the things I struggle not to be, but am.   Habakkuk is ranting at God to “fix it”.  I, on occasion, find myself in that same moment. As I discover a problem or difficulty and proceed to work at fixing it.  Some times I don’t even ask God to help.  Does this comment ring a bell?  Isn’t that what many of us do?

First, a little history lesson about the time period Habakkuk is in.  Habakkuk lives in Judah.  Their neighbor’s, the Babylonians are on the verge of attacking, with vastly superior forces.  Not only that, the threats confronting Habakkuk and the people of Judah aren’t only coming from outside oppressors like the Babylonians. God has informed Habakkuk that, as profit, it is his job to warn the people, and the new king, that God is upset with the way the people are being treated. The death of the reformer King Josiah brought to power his son, Jehoiakim.  He has reversed his father’s attempts to improve the nation and the lot of the people.  Taxes are on the up swing; ordinary people suffer at the hands of their own corrupt military forces and political leaders.  So, as a profit, Habakkuk has cried out against the corruption of Judah’s leaders and warned that the Babylonians would soon be instruments of divine punishment.  Talk about being in between a rock and a hard place!

Don’t we today find ourselves in the same position as Habakkuk?  Isn’t our life today full of chaos?  Don’t we, as Habakkuk did, cry out to God, "How long, O Lord?"

            Every time we turn on the news, don’t we get an eye full of the condition of the world, our country, our state, even our community and our schools?  Don’t we worry about some fool, out to prove his manhood, or acting in uncontrollable rage, as he shots a gun and possibly brings violence into our world, into our house hold and into our lives?   In our church life aren’t we constantly struggling with the realities of sharing our time, talent, and treasure?  You know just a dollar more, from everyone.  And, helping with some of the ministries and devoting a little time toward learning our faith and at the same time teaching it.

Habakkuk offers encouragement to those who are in dire straits and can’t help themselves. But what about the rest of us, who hear God’s intentions to help those afflicted? Through the prophet we hear where God’s heart lies---with those who have no one on their side and can’t help themselves. So, hearing what God has promised these people, we are urged to do something for them.  We are called to “fix it”!  Whether it is the victims of violence and injustice who are local or across the globe. And for those already involved in efforts to help those suffering starvation, oppression, violence, plagues like AIDS, war, etc, the prophet’s vision can sustain us in our long efforts. This "vision" assures us that God is with us in our concern and labors with us to help us "keep on, keeping on."  Even people laboring to make a difference against seeming-impossible odds can succumb to discouragement and burn out.

Again, in Habakkuk, we hear of Habakkuk's complaint that violence, ruin, misery, strife, and clamorous discord all continue while, it seems, and God just looks on.  Well, when you are in the middle of such circumstances, that is exactly what it seems to be.  Hindsight, however, proves differently.  God is always in the midst of such a situation.  Not causing it, but rather helping us plow through it.  God's gentle answer about the vision having its time is a great reminder to me that God has the final answer.  God's way is the last page of the book, even if the chapters are horrendous, and God's word is the last thing that will happen.  The din of the chaos around us sometimes deadens our senses to hearing those comforting words. However, they come again when things settle down and we have or make the actual time to hear God's voice. While the first part of the Habakkuk reading can serve as a prayer for those trapped by powerful and cruel forces; the second half is an encouragement to those who have heard the call to join in the struggle to free the oppressed and be hope for the hopeless.

For me, it is slow down!  Continue working on the condition, God is helping.  It will just take more time than you thought.

Paul, in his letter, provides us with the information on how to live as a Christian with power, love, and self-control.  In the middle of chaos, those are the three farthest things that seem in place at the time!  These words, however, can be that soothing balm that is needed after such a struggle.  They remind us that we have to "bear our share of hardship" but he then adds the words we need to hear in the largest volume ever:   "With the strength that comes from God."  It reminds us that what we need in times of distress is trust and the help of the Holy Spirit who dwells within us.  This is a great "pep talk".... but once the good feeling of it quiets down, we are challenged to live by those words.

And now to how the gospel reading today fits in with these first readings or better still, how the gospel answers the question and statement that we have from working with these two readings.  "How long, O Lord?" and "With the strength that comes from God.

Simply, The Apostles needed to have faith.  That is the hard part, and it is also why the Gospel selection is the reality check about our faith.  The apostles knew of the limited faith that they had.  Jesus tells them that they are correct: with more faith, lots more would fall into place for them.  Well, He didn't use those words, but that is the message I got.  We, as humans, tend to weigh and reflect and analyze.  Jesus simply tells us that we should do what is commanded of us because that is our obligation.  Again from Paul, we are challenged to live by those words.  I hear something else, unspoken but implied..."and I will take care of the rest!"  My faith reality check is that my actions will demonstrate what I truly believe.  I believe in the vision, in its fulfillment, and that it will not disappoint me.  Now all I have to do is stop thinking and acting like it is late in coming.  God has to and will so his part.  I am called to have faith that he will.

However, it is clear that Christ is also chastising the apostles for their lack of faith. When the apostles in today's gospel ask Jesus to "increase our faith," they are asking Jesus to strengthen their belief in Him and His new teachings. Perhaps it would help us to understand the request if we look at its context. In the four verses preceding today's reading Jesus makes two demands of His companions.

1.) He tells them to avoid scandals, causing others to sin. "It would be better for that person if he were to place a millstone around his neck and cast himself in the sea"

2.) And then He teaches His doctrine on forgiveness. He rejects the Old Testament law of the talon: "an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth." And then he demands that His followers forgive always, without end, "seven times seventy times."

This "turn your other cheek" rule was totally contrary to their former belief. So, basically the apostles are seeking the strength (faith) to accept Jesus' difficult demands.

          There is one area in which most Christian religions are in total agreement: Faith is a gift from God. We are incapable of meriting this gift. Justification, we all believe, comes solely through Jesus Christ, our Savior. The dispute with the Lutheran Church regarding faith and good works came to an end in 1997. It is our belief too that Christ wished salvation for all people. As St. Paul writes in his letter to the Ephesians ". Announce to the gentiles the good tidings of unfathomable riches of Christ, and to enlighten all peoples to what is the dispensation of the mystery which has been hidden from all eternity through faith in Christ we all can be saved."

           Of course salvation, though a gift of God, can be rejected, and good works (meritorious) can be performed as a result of Christ's salvation. Indeed in this modern materialistic world, we must protect the gift of faith with full cooperation. Prayer and sacrifice must be an essential part of our daily life.  In a word, we have to have fidelity.

Is God grateful for our fidelity? Of course! But don’t let it go to our heads; we need to keep things in perspective. We are his servants.  We understand our roles. God doesn’t owe us any guaranteed return on our labors. (Remember the workers in the vineyard.), Our ministry will yield fruit---but how much and when, is in God’s hands. We do what our God has called us to do. And, aren’t we thankful that we are not the ones in charge, but only the servants?

So… My friends in Christ….

It’s all about Faith!

Thanks to Jude