Twenty Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time - C - October 2, 2016

Give Me More Faith

The cry for trust in God is common. “I can’t handle it anymore!” How many times have we heard (or spoken) that refrain. Yet, life goes on. We survive, no worse for wear. The lesson here is simple. What God gives us, even if it is a lack in our eyes, is enough.

Sunday Studies:

FIRST READING The prophet Habakkuk addressed the utter despair of Jerusalem, before the Babylonian exile. His answer to the present strife: faith that YHWH would come and comfort his people.

PSALM Psalm 95 is a praise song with a twist; it has a prophetic warning at the end of the psalm. The hymn reminds us that, even in solemn praise, we can fall into sin.

SECOND READING The author of 1 Timothy (St. Paul?) urged his reluctant student to “fire up” faith for the job of evangelization.

GOSPEL In Luke 17, the disciples wanted Jesus to increase their faith. Jesus answered with the equivalent of “the little you have is enough.” Sometimes, a perceived lack is really sufficient for the job.

Other Resources:

DAILY READINGS for the Twenty Sixth Week in Ordinary Time.

STS MICHAEL, GABRIEL AND RAPHAEL  September 29

CHILDREN’S READING In the story for the first reading, Angie, like the stores in her area, could not wait for Halloween, even though it was a month away. Like, Angie and the prophet Habakkuk in the first reading, we need patience in order to see God act. In the story for the gospel, little Sam worked slowly, on small steps and in small ways, to reach the goal. Jesus told his disciples that the little they had, used in small steps and in small ways, was good enough to share the Good News with others.

CATECHISM LINK In this week’s Catechism Link, we discuss faith in God.

FAMILY ACTIVITY To impress upon your family members the parable of the Mustard Seed, take a nature walk. The small seeds that fall in Autumn can bring new life in the spring, even great growth.