St. Clare, Virgin
Habakkuk 1:12—2:4  +  Matthew 17:14-20
August 11, 2018

Why, then, do you gaze on the faithless in silence while the wicked man devours one more just than himself?

Before we begin next Monday a two-week period of listening to the Old Testament prophet Ezekiel, we hear today—on this day that we dedicate to Our Blessed Mother Mary—from the minor prophet Habakkuk.  The Book of the Prophet Habakkuk is only three chapters long, which is less than three pages of most bibles.

The prophet Habakkuk is very unusual among the people of the Bible.  The first two chapters of his prophecy record how Habakkuk questioned God:  for God’s ways of governing the world, and for allowing Judah’s enemies to prey upon Judah.  The prophet questions God by asking:  “Are you not from eternity, O LORD….?  Why, then, do you gaze on the faithless in silence while the wicked man devours one who is more just than himself?”  Habakkuk asks the questions to God that many are unwilling to ask, believing that it’s sinful to even talk to God, much less ask Him questions.

How much more is Our Mother Mary a model for us:  a model of faith, first and foremost, but a model of being honest with God, and pouring our questions and weaknesses.