29th Sunday in Ordinary Time (C)

 Ex. 17:8-13; 2 Tim. 3:14-4:2; Lk. 18:1-8

In the fourth century before Christ, in the city of Athens, there was a widow whose property had been unjustly seized by a wealthy nobleman. In that era, women had little voice in public life, and widows were among the most vulnerable in society. Yet, this particular woman refused to be silenced. Day after day, she appeared before the magistrate’s door. She stood outside the court when the judge arrived in the morning and remained there until he left in the evening. She spoke to anyone who would listen about the injustice she had suffered. She found ways to send petitions, to repeat her claim before the judge’s attendants, to appeal to neighbors to testify for her. Though she had no power, no wealth, and no legal standing that could rival her oppressor, she possessed something stronger than all: persistence. At last, the magistrate, annoyed and wearied by her continual cries, took up her case—not because he cared about justice, but because he wanted peace and rest. Her relentless insistence opened the door to justice.

28th Sunday in Ordinary Time (C)

2Kgs.5:14-17; 2 Tim. 2:8-13; LK 17:11-19

Today's First Reading [2 Kgs. 5:14-17] from the Second Book of Kings describes the healing of Naaman, a foreigner in the land of Israel. Naaman, the commander of the army of the king of Aram, was a great man and in high favour with his master, because by him the Lord had given victory to Aram. The man, though a mighty warrior, suffered from leprosy." [2 Kgs. 5:1]

On one of their raid in the land of Israel, the Arameans had taken a young girl captive. [2 Kgs. 5:2] This young girl served Naaman's wife. She told her mistress that if Naaman was with the prophet who is in Samaria, he would be cured of his leprosy. [2 Kgs. 5:3] Hearing of this, Naaman repeated this comment to the king of Aram. Consequently, the king of Aram told Naaman to go and that he would provide him with a letter to the king of Israel. Naaman left, taking with him a number of gifts to present to the king of Israel. [2 Kgs. 5:3-5]

27th Sunday in Ordinary Time (C)

 Hab. 1:2-3; 2:2-4; 2 Tim 1:6-8, 13-14; Lk. 17:5-10

During today's First Reading, we heard the prophet Habakkuk calling out to the Lord. Around 626 B.C., Habakkuk called out to the Lord because of the violence that surrounded him. Destruction, violence, strife, contention, these had become the norm of the day. Habakkuk was frustrated because the Lord was not taking control of the situation. He complained that the Lord God would not save the people.  This sounds familiar for us too. Everywhere we come across violence and bloodshed strife, war and massacre. This generation also goes through a crisis of faith. The permanent vitality of religion has been lost, the mass of the people have become either superstitious or indifferent to religion; the youth are in open conflict with established society and with the authority of the past; people are experimenting with various techniques.

During today's Gospel Reading, we heard the apostles ask Jesus, "Increase our faith!" Jesus spoke to the Apostles about the power of faith that could move the mulberry tree.” Jesus then spoke of the slave.  Our faith increases when we grow in servitude. Because in serving others, we become more in the likeness of Jesus who served when He washed the feet of His apostles.