27th Sunday in Ordinary Time

The readings of this Sunday invite us to a vision that is written in faith, carried in service, and sent out for others to see. It is not a private dream, but a call to share God’s glory with the world. The path begins with listening, moves through believing, continues by guarding what we have received, and ends with proclaiming it to others.

The psalm today begins with a joyful call: “Come, let us sing to the Lord, let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation” (Psalm 95:1–2). This is not a private whisper, but a public invitation. We are told, “O that today you would listen to his voice!” (v. 7). Listening is not just hearing sounds. It means opening our hearts to God and being ready to respond. We are warned not to harden our hearts, not to close our ears. In the Church’s tradition, worship begins with this act of listening. When we gather for Mass, we don’t just speak—we begin by listening to the Word of God together. This is the first step of faith.

In the Gospel (Luke 17:5–10), the apostles ask Jesus, “Increase our faith.” But Jesus tells them that even a mustard seed-sized faith can do something impossible—uproot a tree and plant it in the sea. Faith does not need to be big to be real. It needs to be alive. And that kind of living faith grows in humble service. Jesus speaks about the servant who works hard and does not expect praise. True faith serves quietly, without showing off. It trusts in God’s power, not its own strength. That is what Jesus wants to show: that a small amount of real faith in a great God is more than enough.

But before we can believe like that, we must also learn to speak honestly to God. In the first reading, the prophet Habakkuk cries out: “How long, O Lord, shall I cry for help and you do not listen?” (Habakkuk 1:2–3). He sees injustice and violence, and he doesn’t hide how he feels. He prays with frustration, even anger. And God answers—not by scolding him, but by giving him a vision. God says, “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so that a runner may read it” (2:2). The vision is for the whole people, not just the prophet. It must be shared. And the promise is this: “The righteous shall live by faith” (2:4). In Scripture, faith means more than belief—it means trust, loyalty, and a way of living.

That brings us to the second reading (2 Timothy 1:6–8, 13–14). Paul reminds Timothy to “stir into flame the gift of God” and to “guard the good treasure” entrusted to him. The word used here for “guard” (phylassō) is the same word used for a soldier standing guard at his post. It’s a strong word. We are called to protect the faith we’ve received—not to hide it, but to keep it safe so that we can pass it on. And we are told to do this not in fear, but with power, love, and self-control. Faith is not just something we hold in our hearts. It is something we live, something we protect, and something we give.

And this is what the Gospel Acclamation reminds us of today:
“The word of the Lord endures forever. That word is the Good News that was announced to you” (1 Peter 1:25).

The Word of God is not something we listen to once and forget. It is living and lasting. It is the Good News that we have heard—and the Good News we are sent to share.

So we return to the full movement of today’s readings:

Listen – open your heart to God’s voice. Be honest in prayer. God can handle your fears, your doubts, your questions.
Believe – even a small faith can move mountains. Trust that God will work through what little you have.
Guard – hold fast to what has been given to you. Don’t let it go. Protect it with prayer, sacraments, and the support of others.
Proclaim – write the vision, live the vision, speak the vision. Share the goodness of God wherever you are—with your friends, and with those who you think need to hear it.

Let us pray:
Lord, stir into flame the gift you have given us. Make our faith like a fire that brings light and warmth. Help us serve with humble hearts and speak with bold trust. May our lives proclaim your goodness to all.

Here are three questions we can take into our prayer today:

• Where is God asking me to listen more closely—to his Word or to those around me?
• What small act of faith can I offer this week?
• How can I guard the treasure of faith and help pass it on to someone else?