Weekly HOMILY for October 3, 2010: Faith -- Of Visions and Mustard Seeds

27th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C
Immaculate Heart of Mary
October 3, 2010


Faith: Of Visions and Mustard Seeds
By (Rev. Msgr.) Nicholas P. Amato


SENECA

Seneca the Roman philosopher and dramatist once said, “For a ship without a port, any wind is an ill wind.”

That is, unless you have a goal or a vision of where you’re headed, you will surely flounder.

In such situations, opportunities are not utilized; stepping-stones are not realized.

However, with a port in mind, with a destination to which you are clearly heading, you have something beckoning you, and you can pick out and select what contributes to your getting there.

You have something that inspires, something that motivates, and something that gives your efforts meaning and purpose.


HABAKKUK

Habakkuk saw the importance of such a vision or goal.

He speaks of “committing the vision to writing,” for in Habakkuk’s time, as well as in our own, writing something out is to give it permanence.

And to writing it out he adds, “Write it large” which is to say, “Make it public for all to see as they walk by.”

A bit about Habakkuk: Here is a prophet who is burdened with preaching an unpopular message to a “stiff-necked” people.

He was a contemporary of Jeremiah and what has prompted his lament we just heard is the destruction of the Northern Kingdom, Judah, by Nebuchadnezzar and the Assyrians to the north.

His people are giving up hope of things every returning to normal and Habakkuk wants to address the situation quickly. He is eminently clear: no matter how things appear or how hopeless they seem, God does indeed see, God does indeed care, and God will indeed act.

It’s just what the people need to hear and their spirits are buoyed up.


JESUS

A vision or goal, with the faith to get us there, is what’s at stake for the disciples of Jesus as well. They plead with him, “Lord, increase our faith.”

Just before this passage, Jesus has been warning them of the danger involved in leading others astray or the importance of forgiving someone we’ve wronged “seventy times seven times” – meaning there should be no limit to our forgiveness.

So they recognize the need for such an increase in faith, if they are to accomplish these mandates. And what Jesus tells them is that it’s not the quantity of their faith that is important, but it is its quality.

He assures them that with only a miniscule amount of faith, folks who (1) Listen to his Word and (2) Commit themselves to him can do things impossible to unaided human nature.


APPLICATION

Two questions arise for us as we hear God’s word: (1) “What is my vision for my life?” and, (2) “What is the mustard-seed faith I have that I bring to that vision?”

For starters let’s look at your marriage. Think back to your wedding day. What was your vision of where you wanted your marriage to be after 10, 20, or 30 years?

Or look at the birth of your first child. What were your aspirations for becoming a father to that son or daughter?

Or think back to the exhilaration or joy you experienced over being offered the job you now hold. What happened to the excitement and the promise your new position held out to you then?

Where have all those visions gone?

Habakkuk would suggest that you dust off those visions and polish up those goals you once had, in fact rewrite them large so all whom you love can see them. Affirm them; speak them out loud to your loved ones.

And know this, Jesus assures us that with only the tiniest amount of faith you can get back on the path to the joy and happiness of your marriage, your children, or your job can bring you.

Take Habakkuk at his word; Trust in God. No matter how things appear or how hopeless they seem, God does indeed see; does indeed care; and God will indeed act.


CONCLUSION

With a vision of how things can be, coupled with even the smallest amount of honest, sincere faith, we can achieve great results.

We have the Prophet Habakkuk and Jesus’ word for it.

And it’s not just their word; it’s how things actually work in our world – how things work with faith and with a plan.