The 18th Sunday After Pentecost (Proper 22C), Oct. 3, 2004
Hab. 1:1-6(7-11)12-13; 2:1-4; Psalm 37:1-18 or 37:3-10; 2 Tim. 1:(1-5)6-14; Luke 17:5-10
The cry of outrage over the unjust suffering of the innocent rings through the ages. Habakkuk was by no means the first to utter it, and the outcry is strong even into this generation. “How long, O Lord, am I to cry for help while you will not listen, to cry, ‘Violence!’ in your ear while you will not save? ... The law loses its grip and justice never emerges. ... Why say nothing while the wicked swallows someone more upright than himself?” (Hab. 1:2,4a, 13b). The answer provided in the same passage is, “The Lord ordered me and said ... ‘The vision is for the appointed time, it hastens towards its end and it will not lie; although it may take some time, wait for it, for come it certainly will before too long’” (Hab. 2:2a, 3).
True though the answer is, it must be somewhat unsatisfying to the sufferer. No one who suffers wants to wait for relief. Yet the answer continues: “Anyone whose heart is not upright will succumb, but the upright will live through faithfulness” (Hab. 2:4). There are, therefore, two parts in the Lord’s response to the outcry: Justice will indeed prevail, but until it comes the apparent victory of the wicked is intended to test and harden the faithful.
The psalm continues the teaching: “Commit your way to the Lord and put your trust in him ... Evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait upon the Lord shall possess the land” (37:5a,10).
When we turn to the New Testament, what is an outcry from Habakkuk is taken for granted by Paul in his letter to Timothy: “Our Savior Christ Jesus … has brought to light immortality and life through the Gospel, in whose service I have been made herald, apostle, and teacher. That is why I am experiencing my present sufferings; but I am not ashamed, because I know in whom I have put my trust” (2 Tim. 1:10b-12a).
A key to putting this teaching into practice is found in the lesson from the gospel. The servants of God ought not to look for blessing or even thanks whenever they perform their duty, though it may be costly to the point of suffering. On the contrary, the world we live in is, by its fallen nature, unjust. Those who turn from that world to godliness will have suffering. The very fact that they can be outraged at injustice exacted against the innocent shows that they have indeed rejected injustice and aligned themselves with the measure of the kingdom of God.
Look It Up
How are verses 5 and 6 of the gospel connected to verses 7-10?
Think About It
When have you experienced a great injustice, and yet found it to contain a blessing?
Next Sunday
The 19th Sunday After Pentecost (Proper 23C), Oct. 10, 2004
Ruth 1:(1-7) 8-19a; Psalm 113; 2 Tim. 2:(3-7) 8-15; Luke 17:11-19
