Faith is something that can grow

This Sunday’s readings talk about faith. Each one has a distinct historical context, yet each one also speaks to the universal experience of trying to believe in a God one can’t see. For example, this Sunday’s first reading comes from the little-known prophet Habakkuk. Some commentators understand justice to be the only real subject throughout the entire prophecy. A crisis of faith for this prophet was the timing for God’s response, or apparent lack of response, to injustice in the world. The opening line from this Sunday’s first reading intimates the pain felt from this prophet writing in the aftermath of two historical invasions into Judah. “How long, O LORD?  I cry for help but you do not listen!” (Hb 1:2). In the prophet’s mind, faith is an act of waiting, and in turn this waiting consists in the hope of justice. “For the vision still has its time, presses on to fulfillment, and will not disappoint; if it delays, wait for it, it will surely come, it will not be late” (Hb 2:3).

This Sunday’s second reading also recounts a trial of faith. Whether it was written by Paul or one of his close associates remains a matter of debate among scholars. What is not under debate is the strength of discipleship in Timothy’s family. The sacred author’s intimate knowledge of Timothy’s heritage comes through in a verse before today’s lectionary passage. “I recall your sincere faith,” he says to Timothy, “that first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and that I am confident lives also in you” (2 Tm 1:5). It is as if the author reminded his companion that faith is something that can be passed on by the people who are closest to us, such as family members who passed on the faith by their teaching and their own lived example. 

Pauls’ struggle comes not from Timothy, his community or his family, but from other Christian communities that he felt had abandoned him in his time of need and isolation. In this pastoral letter, Paul was writing from prison in Rome and complained repeatedly that his fellow Christians in Asia Minor had not come to his aid as he hoped they would. Paul responds to his own struggle by anchoring himself even deeper in faith, a practice he counsels Timothy to follow. “So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord, nor of me, a prisoner for his sake; but bear your share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God” (2 Tm 1:8). Faith is something that anchors one in Christ and carries one through hardship.

One final consideration for the role of faith appears in the words of the disciples in this Sunday’s Gospel. “And the apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith!’” (Lk 17:5). The context of this outburst is significant. The apostles say this immediately following a passage where Jesus explains that a repentant sinner must be forgiven even if he or she “wrongs you seven times in one day” (Lk 14:4). No wonder the disciples beg for greater faith in the face of such demands. Faith in this instance is the remarkable insistence of divine mercy practiced by Jesus and his followers. May the Lord increase the faith of us all.