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 27^th Sunday, Year C: Homily by Fr Isaac Chima

Theme: Between the Promise and Its Fulfilment — What the Righteous Should Do

Readings: Hab 1:2-3, 2:2-4; 2 Tim 1:6-8, 13-14; Lk 17: 5-19

Dear friends in Christ, God made a covenant with Israel to be their God, promising to punish evildoers, and to reward the righteous. Yet, in the time of the prophet Habakkuk, the reality seemed to contradict His promises. Sinful big nations crushed smaller ones; the wicked prospered, while the just and poor were oppressed. Habakkuk cried out in anguish, questioning whether God was still faithful to His promises.

His questions also echo in our hearts today. Many Christians face trials, financial hardship, family struggles, illness, loss of loved ones, and injustice. In the midst of these, many wonder if God is still faithful. Why do the good suffer while the wicked thrive? Why does God seem silent to the cries of the poor?

When Habakkuk voiced his complaints, God responded in a way that deepened his confusion. He told him that He would use the Babylonians to punish Israel (Hab. 1:6). Habakkuk was troubled. He wondered why God would use a more sinful nation to punish or correct a lesser sinful one (Hab. 1:13).

Most times, we also wrestle with such worries. We wonder why corrupt people succeed, why God allows unjust lecturers to mistreat good students, why God allows wicked politicians to flourish in nations that call on His name, and why He allows armed robbers and terrorists to harm innocent people.

In the midst of his worries and troubles, Habakkuk did something profound. Instead of abandoning his faith, he climbed his watchtower—his place of prayer—and waited on God (Hab. 2:1). Dear friends, this is our lesson: when life becomes unbearably hard—mgbe ogbajuru doro—kneel down and wait on God, as Habakkuk did. Don’t lose your faith.

Too often, we pray but don’t wait on God. We frequently seek quick fixes, sometimes turning to ungodly solutions. At such times, the devil whispers to us, saying, “God won’t help you. Take matters into your hands, because heaven helps those who help themselves.” But we must remember that any solution that sidelines God is no solution at all.

While waiting, Habakkuk received a powerful message. God told him, “That those who do evil shall fail, but the righteous shall live by his faith” (Hab. 2:4). God assured him that though the promise may seem delayed, it will surely come. He said, “If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come. It will not delay” (Hab. 2:3).

This is God’s message to us today. Despite the chaos around us, His promises remain true. Faith is the key. Scripture reminds us that “We walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Cor. 5:7); “We are saved by faith” (Rom. 8:24); “Hope in God will never disappoint” (Rom. 5:5); “Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of the things we cannot see” (Heb. 11:1). Dear friends, we must “hold firmly to the hope we profess, for God is faithful” (Heb. 10:23).

St. Paul echoes this same belief in today’s second reading. Writing to Timothy, a bishop in a persecuted and heresy-stricken church, Paul urges him not to lose heart—even though Paul himself was in chains. He tells Timothy to rekindle the gifts God gave him (2 Tim. 1:6–8), reminding him and us that “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, is what God has prepared for those who love Him” (1 Cor. 2:9).

Paul encourages Timothy to continue doing good, even when evil seems to prevail. He must not be intimidated by false teachings or ashamed of the gospel, for God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of courage.

This is our call too. In a world where Christian values are challenged and mocked on issues like sexuality, abortion, and euthanasia, many are afraid to stand for their faith. But Paul urges us not to be ashamed or afraid to defend the truth, even if it brings insults or suffering. This is the prize of faith.

And how much faith is needed? In today’s gospel, Jesus says, “If your faith is as small as a mustard seed, you can move mountains.” It’s not about the size of faith, but its strength. True faith demonstrates itself in concrete life situations, particularly in difficulties. So let us pray, like the disciples did, saying, “Lord, increase our faith.”

Let us ask God for faith that endures trials, resists falsehood, and stands firm in truth. Faith that is not ashamed. Faith that waits on God. Faith that remains unshaken between the promise and its fulfilment.

Peace be with you. Have a blessing-filled Sunday

Rev. Fr. Isaac Chinemerem Chima