Guarding the Gift:A Journey through Complaint, Forgiveness and Faithfulness

In this Sunday’s readings, Second Timothy (2 Tm1:6-18, 13-14) likens guarding the gift of faith to tending a flame. To keep the flame burning, we are called to lean into the strength, love, and self-control that the Spirit provides to all the faithful, especially when the road gets tough or the Gospel’s demands become challenging.

Keeping the flame going does not mean that we can’t complain to God. Habakkuk (Hb 1:2-3, 2-3) teaches us that it is okay to bring our raw, honest questions to God, especially in those seasons where it feels like we are waiting endlessly for answers.

In the Gospel of Luke (Lk 17:5-10), we find the apostles struggling with one of the most difficult messages of the Gospel – forgiveness.  They plead with Jesus to “increase our faith!” so they might have the spiritual resources they need to truly and fully forgive. Jesus reminds them that even a tiny mustard-seed-sized bit of faith has the power to do the hard work of forgiving others. Through Jesus’ parable of the servant, Jesus also teaches the humility of simply doing what we are called to do – no fanfare needed.

Altogether, these readings weave a picture of genuine faith as sometimes messy, faith is always anchored in a loving relationship with God. Tending the flame of faith requires honesty, patience, and daily faithfulness – oftentimes in a modest, understated way.

1.When have you felt like Habakkuk, asking “How long, God?” and what did you learn in the waiting?

2. How do you personally relate to the apostles’ request to “increase our faith,” especially when it comes to forgiving others?

3.Do you feel that your faith needs protection or guarding?  Why or why not?