A recent survey indicated that 64% of registered U.S. voters think that the divisiveness that has become endemic in politics cannot be overcome.  Coincidentally, the Scripture readings for this Sunday have something to say about our contemporary situation. 

The prophet Habakkuk prayed to God saying, “How long, O Lord? I cry for help, but you do not listen!  I cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not intervene.  Why do you let me see ruin; why must I look at misery?  Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and clamorous discord.” (Hb 1:2-3) 

The prophet’s prayer of lament was occasioned by a political situation that the prophet thought was both predictable and disastrous.  Shortly after the Judean King Jehoiakim made a political alliance with the Egyptian Pharaoh, Egypt was conquered by the Babylonian Empire. 

King Jehoiakim was so universally disliked that only his immediate advisors supported him; everyone else, including Habakkuk, thought it was merely a matter of time before the Babylonian King turned his armies on Judah.  This was, in fact, precisely what happened.  Almost the entire population of Judea was deported to Babylon as slaves, and the Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed. 

Although Habakkuk composed his prayer about 2600 years ago, it echoes the sentiments of many people today. “Why, do you let me see ruin; why must I look at misery?  Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and clamorous discord.” (Hb 1:3)   

Very little biographical information is known about Habakkuk, but his name provides some insight into the content of his preaching.  The prophet’s name seems to be related to the Hebrew word meaning a hug or embrace.  In light of the cryptic nature of God’s response to the prophet’s prayer of lament, Habakkuk’s prophecies suggest a stance toward life’s challenges that is in accord with today’s second reading and Gospel reading. 

The author of the second letter to Timothy advised the young church leader to “bear your share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God.” (2 Tim 1:8)  In the Gospel reading, Jesus told his disciples that the demands of a life of faith should not be viewed as heroic acts but merely as fulfilling God’s normal expectations. (Lk 17:10) 

Habakkuk, Timothy, and the apostles had legitimate concerns that were just as worrisome as the divisiveness we face today. 

Habakkuk saw the inevitable consequences of the King’s reliance on political alliances rather than on faith in God.  He saw the poor being mistreated and the nation being led astray.  Rather than allowing his distress to consume him, however, Habakkuk held fast to (hugging, embracing) God’s promise to save the People. 

The pastor Timothy was discouraged by his congregation’s lack of trust in him, and he was concerned about the corrosive effect of the false beliefs that were gaining ground among his congregants.  The letter instructed him to face these trials with trust in God and complete dedication to proclaiming the message of salvation through faith in Jesus’ resurrection. 

In the Gospel reading, the apostles said to Jesus, “Increase our faith.” (Lk 17:5)  This was more of a panicked plea than a reasoned request.  Jesus had just finished instructing them about how to deal with conflicts among themselves and conflicts with fellow believers.  Summarizing the instruction, Jesus said that if someone “wrongs you seven times in one day and returns to you seven times saying, ‘I am sorry,’ you should forgive him.” (Lk 17:4)  The apostles found this saying so challenging that they immediately asked for increased faith so that they could measure up to Jesus’ expectations. 

The short parable in today’s Gospel reading was Jesus’ response to the apostles’ plea for greater faith.  Jesus said, “When you have done all you have been commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.’” (Lk 17:10)  The word “unprofitable” doesn’t really convey the meaning of Jesus’ instruction; in context, the word is more appropriately translated as “mere” or “unremarkable.”   

In the parable, the servants who did what they were commanded to do weren’t truly unprofitable or useless; rather, they were merely carrying out the commands they had been given.  Therefore, when we fulfill Jesus’ command to forgive habitually those who offend us, we should not feel that we’re doing something special, demanding, heroic, or praiseworthy.   

Habitual forgiveness of our enemies is a command, not an ideal.  The fact that habitual forgiveness is seen by our culture as impossible or foolish does not change the fact that we are obliged to practice it merely because Jesus commands us to do so.  Then, having practiced forgiveness of enemies as a daily habit, we are to consider ourselves unremarkable for having done so. 

We live in a culture that encourages us to make public spectacles of ourselves by being controversial, insulting, and judgmental.  Unfortunately, our culture is quick to promote these behaviors but slow to recognize the consequences of these behaviors, namely, that everyone finds them offensive. 

If, like Habakkuk, you lament the fact that you are surrounded by destruction, violence, strife, and discord, the simple and faithful choice is to avoid anything that leads to divisiveness. (Hb 1:3)  The humility and forgiveness expected of Jesus’ disciples shouldn’t be seen as extraordinary.  While these virtues are unknown to those who believe only in self-righteousness, their presence ought to be unremarkable in the lives of those who put their faith in God. (Lk 17:10)