Sunday between 2 and 8 October    

Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)

First Reading - Habakkuk 1.2-4; 2.2-4

A reading from the book of the prophet Habakkuk. I cried out to the Lord, ‘How long, O Lord, must I cry to you for help? All around, there is destruction, violence, conflict, and distress. Justice and law have broken down, and the wicked overpower the righteous.’ And the Lord answered me, saying, ‘Write this message in letters so large that even a runner can see: “Keep the faith! For there will be justice at the appointed time. The arrogant, and the powerful, will fall. But the righteous, and the faithful, will live!”’ This is the word of the Lord.

Second Reading - 2 Timothy 1.1-14

A reading from the second letter of Paul to Timothy. From Paul, by God’s grace, an apostle, proclaiming the promise of life in Christ Jesus. To Timothy. Grace, mercy, and peace to you, from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. Timothy, you are like a son to me, and I give thanks to God, as I remember you always, in my prayers, recalling the tears that you shed as we parted, and longing for the joy of seeing you again. I give thanks to God for your sincere faith - the faith that lived first in your grandmother Lois, and your mother Eunice, and now, I know, lives in you. Keep the flame of the gift of God burning brightly within you - the gift that you received when I was with you, when I commissioned you to God’s service. For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but a spirit of power, endurance, and love. So do not be ashamed to speak of our salvation in Christ, And do not be ashamed of me, a prisoner for Christ.

But be ready to suffer with me, for the sake of the gospel, trusting in the power of God. For God saved us, and called us to new life in Christ, not because of anything we had done, but by God’s grace - and for God’s purposes. This grace of God was established in Christ Jesus before the foundation of the world. It is by this grace of God that our Saviour Jesus Christ has broken the power of death and shown us the way to eternal life. It is for this message of God’s grace that I was appointed apostle, and teacher. And it is for this message of God’s grace that I also suffer many trials. But I have nothing to fear, for I know that the one I trust will protect me to the very end. So hold fast to all that you learned from me. Hold fast to the faith and love that you know in Christ Jesus. And by the Holy Spirit dwelling within us, treasure the gift that you have received. This is the word of the Lord.

Gospel - Luke 17.5-10

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke. The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith!’ And the Lord said to them, ‘If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could tell this tree to go and plant itself in the middle of the sea, and it would be done.’ And the Lord said to them, ‘When a servant comes in, from ploughing the field, or tending the sheep, he does not sit down to eat with his master, but at his master’s command, he prepares and serves his master’s supper, before making his own. And he expects no thanks. In the same way, when you have done all that you are commanded to do, you should have the humility of a servant, and say, “We have only done what we ought to have done.”’ This is the Gospel of the Lord.