The virtues we pray for

We ask for faith, fidelity to our mission and humble joy

October 2—27th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Readings: Hab 1:2-3; 2:2-4; Psalm 95, R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.; 2 Timothy 1:6-8, 13-14; Gospel— Luke 17: 5-10

Our Gospel this Sunday are two sayings of Jesus somewhat independent of each other, but part of a section that gives us guidelines for Christian living.

The first part of today’s Gospel highlights the centrality of faith as a key Christian grace and virtue. The second part invites us to reflect on two points: humble fidelity to duty and the sense of humble joy in fulfilling one’s task.

I used to emphasize to our high school faculty and to the public school teachers who went through our formation process that one of our most important tasks as teachers is to help our students believe in themselves, their authentic selves, who they are and what God is calling them to.

I would include in their reflections the point of becoming what we believe in. My concrete example of this is one of the classes I taught as a young teacher almost 40 years ago.

The class was excited when we discussed goals and our vision for the class, but when it came to working on and for it, there was so much hesitance.

It turned out that when they were in junior year, one of their teachers told them how undeserving they were to be in third year and that their class should have been disbanded. In short, “bobo sila, mahina,” dumb and slow.

New strategy

They carried this trauma to the point of acting it out. It took us some effort and a new strategy to help the class regain their confidence by making them believe in themselves, with a realistic knowledge of themselves.

Long story short, after 10 months that class was awarded as the outstanding class during recognition day at the end of the school year. They all graduated, no one left behind, and had the most number of honor students at graduation, next to the honors class. (Note: The honors at graduation then were based on the grades in senior year, and not all four years.)

“If you have faith the size of a mustard seed,” all things are possible. (cf. Luke 17:5-10) Or more appropriately, “with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26)

The second part of the Gospel focused on fidelity to duty and joy in completing one’s task. To these we add, humble fidelity to duty and humble joy in fulfilling one’s task.

For these twin graces, let us look at the story of Simeon in the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:29-32).

Simeon was promised that he would not see death until he saw the Messiah. He is led by the Spirit to the temple, and there he sees the infant Jesus being presented by his parents.

He then prays his famous Canticle of Simeon or the Nunc Dimittis: “Now, Master, You may let Your servant go in peace, according to Your word, for my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You prepared in sight of all the peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for Your people Israel.”

The fidelity of Simeon—he waits for the fulfillment of what he was promised. He humbly and faithfully waits even

in his old age.

‘Let me go in peace’ And when the task is completed, his mission accomplished when he sees the Infant Jesus in the temple, he joyfully and peacefully sings his canticle: “Nunc dimittis—now let me go in peace; let Your servant go in peace.”

The beauty of humble fidelity gives rise to humble joy of a faithful servant dedicated to one’s task and mission.

These are virtues we pray for today.

We pray for faith, the faith that makes all things possible,

We pray for fidelity, humble fidelity that keeps us focused on what we are asked to do, the sense of duty and responsibility.

We pray for humble joy that comes from knowing we have fulfilled our mission.

Once I was asked by someone who feared death how to overcome his fear. I paused to reflect and respond.

Fidelity to mission means you are faithful in living your mission in the day to day. When it becomes a way of life, I think one does not notice when one completes one’s mission and moves into the transition, passing from this life to eternal life.

Perhaps we too shall sing our nunc dimittis: “Now, Master, You may let Your servant go in peace, according to Your word, for my eyes have seen Your salvation ...”—our salvation as we go home to God.