Scripture Reflection - October 5, 2025

Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading: Habakkuk 1:2-3; 2:2-4

Second Reading: 2 Timothy 1:6-8, 13-14

Gospel: Luke 17:5-10

Our reading from Habakkuk starts out sounding like what a friend of mine calls a “Debbie Downer.” For those who don’t know, a Debbie Downer is described as someone who is negative or pessimistic, and who tends to focus on the depressing or bad aspects of something.

As Habakkuk said to God:

“I cry for help, but you do not listen.

I see ruin, misery, destruction, violence, strife, and discord. You do not intervene.”

As I read up on Habakkuk, the picture became more devastating. Habakkuk sees rampant injustice, violence, and corruption within his own nation.  He sees the law is ineffective, and the wicked are winning – oppressing the righteous.

In the time of Habakkuk and in our times, who are the righteous?

Various religions describe the righteous as people living with integrity, justice, and strong moral character. In Judaism, a righteous person is a holy, humble individual with some traditions. In Islam, righteous servants of Allah are those who constantly seek repentance and forgiveness from Allah. In Christianity, a key understanding of the righteous is those who achieve a right standing with God through faith in Jesus Christ – characterized by compassion, love, and service.

Is it any clearer, in the time of Habakkuk and in our times, who are the righteous? In these challenging and divisive times we are living in, how do we know who are the righteous ones?

Do I sometimes, like Habakkuk, cry out to God for help but don’t feel listened to?

Do I sometimes, like Habakkuk, see ruin, misery, destruction, violence, strife, and discord,, but don’t feel God is intervening?

Do I sometimes, like Habakkuk, see corruption within our own nation, see that the law is ineffective and the wicked are winning, oppressing the righteous?

Or should we consider that these questions might be addressed to us?

Perhaps God is calling out to us, and we are not hearing?

Perhaps God is begging us to intervene, and we are not taking action?

Perhaps we continue to be confused in identifying the righteous among us.

As we ponder these questions and issues, let us recall the words from Habakkuk:

“The vision still has its time, presses on to fulfillment, and will not disappoint;

If it delays, wait for it, it will surely come, it will not be late.”

Sr. Ellenrita Purcaro, OP