27th Sunday - Fr. Leo
For richer and poorer, in sickness and in heath, are two phrases we hear exchanged in wedding vows. They hint that there will be good times and bad. It’s part of any relationship. It is a part of life.
Today’s scriptures seem to be preparing us for the worst of times. “How long, O Lord? I cry for help and you do not listen!” These words at the beginning of our first reading are answered with, “if it delays, wait for it.” We may have to wait in darkness a very long time, at least a long while in psychological time.
Mystics speak of the dark night of the soul. Long periods where God seems absent. These periods are considered the refiners fire for the soul. A deep faith and deeper awareness of the presence of God developed over time.
In our second reading from 2 Timothy, we hear the same sentiments in the words, “bear your share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God.” We are disciples of Christ, as such, we can’t leave out the cross.
Today’s gospel also encourages perseverance. When the disciples asked Jesus for an increase of faith, they were told that if they had faith they could work powerful miracles. But faith is only really real when we live simple faithful lives by doing what is loving and not looking for reward.
Faith can not be earned, it is always a gift of the Spirit. And true faith is about being faithful in our love for God in good times and in bad. Not a love for self that wants God to become our servant. But a love that seeks to unite our hearts with Christ’s passion and resurrection in all things. Hence, we live in constant tension between the faith we want, and the faith that God will give us through the best of times and the worst of times.