💖 HOMILY - AUGUST 8 💖

First Reading - Habakkuk 1:12-2:4 

Gospel - Matthew 17:14-20

There are moments in life when we ask, "Lord, why?" Why this suffering? Why this delay? Why do my prayers seem unanswered? Every believer, at some point, wrestles with these questions. The good news is that God is not offended by our questions. He invites us to bring them to Him in faith.

In the first reading, the prophet Habakkuk is troubled by the injustice he sees around him. He cannot understand why evil seems to triumph while the righteous suffer. Instead of keeping his doubts to himself, he brings them before God. The Lord does not answer every question immediately, but He assures the prophet that His plan will be fulfilled in His own time. Then He concludes with these powerful words: "The righteous shall live by faith."

Faith, therefore, is not having all the answers. It is trusting God even when we cannot see the whole picture.

In the Gospel, a father brings his possessed son to Jesus after the disciples have failed to heal him. Jesus cures the boy, and later the disciples ask why they were unsuccessful. Jesus replies, "Because of your little faith." He goes on to say that faith, even as small as a mustard seed, can move mountains.

Jesus is not speaking about the size of faith as much as its authenticity. A tiny seed is alive, and because it is alive, it can grow. In the same way, genuine faith—even if it seems small—places its confidence in God's power rather than in our own abilities.

Dear friends, both readings teach us the same lesson. Habakkuk reminds us to trust God's timing, while Jesus reminds us to trust God's power. Faith does not remove every difficulty, but it changes the way we face them. Instead of giving in to fear or discouragement, faith teaches us to keep praying, keep hoping, and keep believing that God is at work even when we cannot yet see the outcome.

Let us ask ourselves: When life becomes difficult, do I trust God's wisdom, or do I lose hope? Do I bring my questions to Him in prayer, believing that He is working even in silence?

May the Lord deepen our faith. May He give us the patience of Habakkuk to wait upon His promises and the trust that Jesus asks of His disciples. Then, even with faith as small as a mustard seed, we will discover that nothing is impossible for God.

Amen.