Sr. Bincy Thumpanathu CMC
READING: “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights (Habakkuk 3:17-19).
REFLECTION: These verses reveal that ultimately the prophet Habakkuk put his faith and trust in God. However, this is in stark contrast to how he is portrayed in the opening pages of the book. Rather than expressions of faith and patience, what we see is a litany of complaints, with the prophet directing his anger at God. Habakkuk openly questions God, asking why He does not take any action to re-establish the justice and peace which men have shattered through acts of violence, and he makes known his dissatisfaction with the Lord: “O Lord, how long”, he says, “shall I cry for help, and you will not hear?”(1:2); “you who have purer eyes than to see evil, and who cannot look on perversity, why do you tolerate those who deal treacherously, and keep silent when the wicked swallows up the man who is more righteous than he?” (1:13); He cannot comprehend why evil people gain while good people lose, and why a perverted justice is allowed to prevail (1:4). Nevertheless, God does not immediately answers all his questions, but emphasizes the importance of keeping faith with Him, since it is through faithfulness that man will live (2:4).
Having doubted and been perplexed by the ways of God, Habakkuk gradually comes to the realization that the answer lies in implicitly trusting in Him. The verse discussed here offers confirmation of the unconfined hope and joy that can be found in God. In this way, the book which opens with an air of gloom, proceeds to a glorious and magnificent conclusion. It traces the journey of Habakkuk from doubt to faith, from confusion to confidence and from despair to joy.
This book has an important message to convey, one which is still relevant today. It teaches man the value of waiting for the Lord, who never fails to fulfil His promises. But sustaining a lively faith, is not easy. To face adversity with hope and to trust in God in moments of pain and bitterness, it is necessary to patiently await the salvation promised by the Lord, and to do so with confidence. Pope Francis once reminded his audience of the importance of learning the art of waiting for the Lord and the prophet Habakkuk, can be held up as an exemplar in that regards. He steadfastly and joyfully proclaimed his trust in God, even though the fig trees do not blossom, and produce no fruit; though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; though the sheep are cut off from the fold and the cattle stalls are empty.
PRAYER: Let us think of the deep confidence the prophet Habakkuk had in the Lord. Lord, help us too, to grow from a weak faith marked by confusion, to a state of having absolute trust in you. Teach us to channel our frustrations and complaints in a way that allows us to see them in a different light. May we come to understand that out of our distress we learn to praise you even more. Even though, you, Lord, know what you have planned for us, we are never able to full know your thoughts. Help us, Lord, to bear our crosses with fortitude and to trust more fully in you, the one who ever accompanies us.
CONTEMPLATION: Calm your soul in the presence of the Lord. Recall the laudable faith and wonderful hope that the prophet Habakkuk proclaims especially in times of misfortune. It is when bitterness reaches its peak and when his spirit is at its lowest point that the Lord acts, and he finds hope, and his trust in his Saviour blossoms. In 1979 St. John Paul II said: “We must learn not to be afraid, we must rediscover a spirit of hope and a spirit of trust.” Ask yourself: How do I react in times of adversity? Can I, too, be like Habakkuk? Am I able to raise my gaze and live in the warm glow of faith?
ACTION: • Believe that the Lord is enough to satisfy your needs and say with faith that “I will rejoice in God” when everything is taken away.
• Ask the Lord to remove all fear and anxiety from your mind.
• Commit your destiny to the Lord, be confident in Him and He will act (Psalm 37:5).
