THE REWARD OF FAITH

Meditation of the Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C

(Hab1:2-3; 2:2-4; 2 Tim 1:6-8, 13-14; Lk 17:5-10)

There is a growing trend of ‘entitlement mentality’ among people of this generation. This disposition makes one feel that he deserves one particular favor or the other; it makes you feel that someone is indebted to you, that you are suffering because someone did not come to your aid. This negative vibe has brought disgruntlement among some families and friends. ‘Entitlement mentality’ has also crept into our relationship with God. Some pray as if God is owing them; they feel that because of some good deeds they have done, God must reward them immediately. Among the prevalent prayer points we hear today is the invocation of ‘destiny helpers.’ This intention flows from the belief that God has destined someone to bring solution to your problems. So, you pray that this ‘destiny helper’ should locate you promptly. A man with ‘entitlement mentality’ is reward driven, even in his spiritual exercises.

 

The readings of this Sunday present faith as that divine disposition to life that is not reward driven, but summons one to personal responsibility and commitment. The prophet Habakkuk presents a situation that is challenging, and needs urgent and immediate response. As the man of faith cries out to God for quick response, we hear from the prophet that God will respond at His own time. “If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come, it will not delay. Behold, he whose soul is not upright in him will fail, but the righteous shall live by his faith.”

 

Faith looks up to God. In time of need or suffering, the expectation of faith increases. The parable of the humble servant demonstrates how faith in God purifies the intentions of our service, such that we look up to God in faith to carry out our duties of life, without conditioning ourselves with the expected rewards. We may begin our journey of faith out of fear of hell, and move on further out of desire for divine providence and heavenly reward. But the pure faith that looks up to God and renders service solely for His own sake, is at the height of the journey. Such faith, even if it is as small as a grain of mustard seed, can move mountains, and bring timely the rich reward of faith.

 

Jesus says, “When you have done all that is commanded you, say, ‘we are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’” Then, the rich reward of faith surprises us, and energizes us. However, the real test of faith comes when we have to be committed to our duties and faith journey, amidst challenges, even before any divine consolation arrives. That faith action that perseveres without the motivation of reward, will always be stronger than the challenges it meets. This is the kind of faith that is purified like gold in a fire (1 Pet 1:6-9), and it is this faith that purifies our intentions and our actions. This is the faith that tested and qualified Abraham as our father in faith (Heb 11:17-19).

 

That is why the second reading urges us to be courageous and rekindle the gifts of God that is within us. “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity but a spirit of power and love and self-control.” Meditate on the courage, love and discipline it takes to remain firm in faith, and render our humble service to God without the motivation of reward. Think about the purifying power of faith when we persevere in prayer, and continue to render our worship to the God who answers prayers, even when we have not received the answers to our prayers. Such prayer life echoes the prayers of Jesus on the Cross; it becomes a living testimony of Christ crucified, following the pattern of faith and love that is rooted in Christ Jesus.

 

Once our relationship with God is purified of ‘entitlement mentality’, we can confront our lives with the truth of faith that no one owes us anything, in fact, whatever favor we receive is a free gift of grace. This disposition brings us so much freedom; freedom to believe and to pray in season and out of season, and freedom to relate with others in peace. It enables us to avoid the frustration that comes with too many expectations. Above all, it disposes us to be creative and contribute our own quota to better the lives of others. Let us treasure this truth of faith, which brings divine reward at its own time, purifies and overcomes every obstacle. “Guard the truth that has been entrusted to you by the Holy Spirit who dwells within us.” Amem.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.

Sunday October 2, 2022.

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