27th Sunday in Ordinary Time – C
October 5, 2025 11am
Our Lady of Grace Parish, Parkton
A Vision
I recently read a story about a young woman named Lena.
Lena grew up in a rather poor town in Greece where dreams often went unfulfilled. But at age fourteen, she wrote in her journal, “I will be a doctor and build a clinic in my village.”
People chuckled—no one from there had ever done such a thing. Years passed.
Lena faced setbacks: her father lost his job, she worked nights, and her grades slipped. But her vision pulled her forward like a magnet.
When she wanted to quit, she reread her journal. Finally, at age 28, Lena returned home—not just as a doctor, but as the founder of a small health center that served hundreds of people.
An old neighbor asked, “How did you do it?” She smiled and said, “I saw it before it existed.”
Having a vision didn’t remove obstacles, but it gave Lena the strength to face them. With the vision, she became and built something that made a difference.
The Vision
Lena’s vison was crucial and that is the message in today’s first reading.
The prophet Habakuk is experiencing violence and desolation and division and cries out to God. God says: “Write down the vision. The vision will have its time and will not disappoint you.”
God wants to make sure that his people will remember the vision. God wants us to 1) see the vision, 2) trust the vision, and 3) live the vision.
1. See the Vision
First, see the vision.
For us, this means that we need to see Jesus himself. We are to see him as the way to God and the way to know God because he is God present with us.
And we need to see the vision that Jesus gives us. We are to see his vision of God as a loving Parent – and that’s it, a loving Parent.
We are to see his vision of ourselves – as human and sometimes sinful, but also as worthy and beloved by God. And we are to see his vision of all humanity – of all persons as God’s sons and daughters.
This vision gradually shapes who we become as persons. It shapes how we see God and ourselves and others.
2. Trust the Vision
Then, with this seeing, we are to trust the vision.
In the midst of all the upset and trouble, the prophet Habakuk cries out, “How long will this last, O Lord? I cry out, O Lord, but you do not seem to listen!”
I mean, might we ourselves say similar words in today’s world or in our own personal life? Maybe we are in the middle of difficult chemotherapy treatments.
Or maybe we are feeling anxious about our financial future. How does God respond to our prayer, our crying out?
God is reassuring: “Write down the vision. The vision will have its time and will not disappoint you.”
So, we are to trust the vision. And part of that vision is that we are not alone.
We are to trust Jesus’ promise that he is always with us. He is our strength and our refuge, no matter what.
3. Live the Vision
And then, with this seeing and with this trust, we are to live the vision.
Jesus says in today’s gospel: “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you can move mountains.” So, we are to set out in everyday life to live the vision that faith gives us.
We live the vision by getting up every morning and offering our day to God. We resolve to do our best and give the best we can to making each day productive.
And we live the vision by being mindful of the needs of others. We focus both on ourselves and on the well-being of others – a balance that Jesus calls us to live.
Conclusion
So, the prophet Habakuk leads us to a great lesson of faith today.
See the vision. Trust the vision. And live the vision.
When we do this, the challenges of life get repositioned a bit. We are living through them with God at our side and God within us.
