27th Sunday in Ordinary Time 2025
Habakkuk 1:2-3; 2:2-4 Timothy 1:6-8, 13-14 Luke 17:5-19
The Gospel message of the past few Sundays has been disturbing and challenging. The graphic images of the poor that Jesus has put before us were meant to prick our consciences and lift us out of our sometimes smug attitude when dealing with those who are less fortunate than we are. We, as disciples of the Lord, are called away from our reliance on material things and worldly values – just as the disciples who were listening to Jesus as they made their way with him up to Jerusalem. Up to this point Jesus was speaking about sin, forgiveness and repentance – it was heavy going! Time to change to something more theoretical and less impinging on day-to-day living! The Apostles thought that talking generally about Faith would be more comfortable. But would it? ‘Increase our Faith’ seemed a suitable request from His followers. Unexpectedly, Jesus assures them that, that might not be necessary. You only need a little Faith. It was back to reality again! The challenge was to display that ‘little Faith’ and practice it as their following of Jesus would require. The gift of Faith as something ‘real and active and sharper than any two-edged sword’ (Heb 4:12). It calls for those who receive it to be courageous, strong, disciplined and full of love as Saint Paul teaches his young disciple, Timothy – today’ 2nd Reading. It may be as small as the proverbial ‘mustard seed’ but must take over the life of a disciple. Witnessing to it and living it may lead to challenges such as those which St Paul himself endured (cf 2 Cor 11:16-33)
So the disciples, by changing the subject of Jesus’ teaching to one that seems less personal, are really bringing the reality of personal responsibility for our Faith on themselves. But back to the parable in the Gospel Reading! Saint Luke loves parables and anecdotes which deal with food and tables. But this one is different. It is not about feasting or celebrating or banqueting or important guests. There seems to be a very greedy and pompous master and a very submissive slave here. The slave is driven by loyalty and Faith. Jesus makes the point that the servant does his duty and service without any desire for reward. The lesson for us seems to be that when we have real Faith and loyalty we serve without expecting reward.
We have Faith. We have been given it as a gift. This gift, which is can be a small as we can imagine is seen by Saint Paul as a small spark and our calling is to ‘fan it into a flame’. This is the precious gift that we have been trusted with. St Paul reminds us that it is with the help of the Holy Spirit that we are enabled to guard it. The Scripture Readings today prompt us to pray
- That the ‘Spirit of Power’ enable us to uproot our smugness and plant it in the sea!
- That the ‘Spirit of Love’ strengthen us to serve with compassion and without looking for reward
- That the ‘Spirit of self-control’ discipline us, form us into disciples and live according to the Gospel of Jesus Christ Our Lord .