Homily – 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C
“Faith That Perseveres and Serves Humbly”
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, our readings today remind us that faith is not just about believing when life is easy. True faith means trusting and persevering even when God seems silent and serving humbly without needing praise.
In the first reading, the prophet Habakkuk cries out: “How long, O Lord, must I cry for help, and you do not listen?” That is a prayer many of us recognize. When we watch the news—violence in our streets, divisions in our communities, families struggling to make ends meet—it’s natural to wonder: Where is God in all of this? Habakkuk reminds us that “the just shall live by faith.” God may seem slow, but He is never late. Faith means trusting in God’s plan for our lives, especially in His timing, even when our vision is cloudy.
In today’s second reading, St. Paul encourages Timothy to “stir into flame the gift of God” within him. Faith is not something we put on a shelf. It’s like a campfire—if we stop tending it, it grows cold. Our lives can be so busy with work, school, sports, and endless schedules. Prayers can easily slip into the background. But Paul urges us to rekindle the flame. Faith grows stronger when we nourish it through prayer, the sacraments, and acts of service.
The Gospel reading shows the apostles asking: “Lord, increase our faith!”
Jesus responds that even a mustard seed of true faith can move mountains. It’s not about how much faith we have, but how deeply we are willing to trust in God. Then Jesus teaches about humble service: “We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.” In today’s culture, which values recognition, likes, and applause, Jesus calls us to something different—to serve quietly, faithfully, and humbly. Because even if no one else notices, God notices. This is mustard-seed faith: simple, steady, humble, yet powerful.
Today’s readings call us to three things:
Like Habakkuk, to trust God even when He feels silent.
Like Timothy, to stir into flame the faith God planted in us.
Like the apostles, to serve humbly without seeking applause.
May our faith be like the mustard seed—small perhaps, but alive, steady, and strong enough to move the mountains in our lives. Amen.
“Faith That Perseveres and Serves Humbly”
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, our readings today remind us that faith is not just about believing when life is easy. True faith means trusting and persevering even when God seems silent and serving humbly without needing praise.
In the first reading, the prophet Habakkuk cries out: “How long, O Lord, must I cry for help, and you do not listen?” That is a prayer many of us recognize. When we watch the news—violence in our streets, divisions in our communities, families struggling to make ends meet—it’s natural to wonder: Where is God in all of this? Habakkuk reminds us that “the just shall live by faith.” God may seem slow, but He is never late. Faith means trusting in God’s plan for our lives, especially in His timing, even when our vision is cloudy.
In today’s second reading, St. Paul encourages Timothy to “stir into flame the gift of God” within him. Faith is not something we put on a shelf. It’s like a campfire—if we stop tending it, it grows cold. Our lives can be so busy with work, school, sports, and endless schedules. Prayers can easily slip into the background. But Paul urges us to rekindle the flame. Faith grows stronger when we nourish it through prayer, the sacraments, and acts of service.
The Gospel reading shows the apostles asking: “Lord, increase our faith!”
Jesus responds that even a mustard seed of true faith can move mountains. It’s not about how much faith we have, but how deeply we are willing to trust in God. Then Jesus teaches about humble service: “We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.” In today’s culture, which values recognition, likes, and applause, Jesus calls us to something different—to serve quietly, faithfully, and humbly. Because even if no one else notices, God notices. This is mustard-seed faith: simple, steady, humble, yet powerful.
Today’s readings call us to three things:
Like Habakkuk, to trust God even when He feels silent.
Like Timothy, to stir into flame the faith God planted in us.
Like the apostles, to serve humbly without seeking applause.
May our faith be like the mustard seed—small perhaps, but alive, steady, and strong enough to move the mountains in our lives. Amen.