(Hb.1:2-3,2:2-4; Ps.95:1-2,6-9; 2Tm.1:6-8,13-14; Lk.17:5-10) "The vision still has its time, presses on to fulfillment, and will not disappoint." And we are servants of this Gospel. And so, with faith and in patience we must accomplish "what we [are] obliged to do." We must serve the Word of God. Never hardening our hearts against the voice we hear, rather, we should "stir into flame the gift of God" we are blessed with as Christians, as Catholics; "the Holy Spirit that dwells within us" should be our refuge and our guide – it should be our stronghold despite any "destruction and violence" we witness before us. For we know that if we endure till the end, till the fulfillment of the vision of the Gospel, though we deserve it not, the Lord will call to us when we "come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field and say, 'Come here immediately and take your place at table.'" Indeed, He has promised in His mercy and His glorious benevolence to put on His apron and serve us, His "unprofitable servants," at table in the eternal kingdom. But have we the faith to believe? Have we the patience to endure? Listen to His assuring words: "Wait for it, it will surely come, it will not be late." His Word is certainly true and the vision written "clearly upon the tablets" of our hearts, if we believe. And we show our faith when we "sing joyfully to the Lord," when we "bow down in worship" before Him in spite of any "clamorous discord" that surrounds us in this world. In such praise in the face of the darkness of evil we bear "hardship for the Gospel with the strength that comes from God." Yes, He alone is our strength; it is from Him alone that we find the faith and patience to endure and produce fruit upon this earth. So, "let us kneel before the Lord who made us. For He is our God, and we are the people He shepherds." Though we cry out, "How long, O Lord?" with the prophet Habbakuk, we know that if we listen to the instructions of the Apostle Paul to "take as [our] norm the sound words [we] heard from [him]," "in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus" we shall endure, and we shall find answer to our prayer. The vision is coming to fulfillment. The Lord of all is with us now. Let us "not be ashamed of [our] testimony to our Lord," but proclaim with courage the word the Spirit prompts in our hearts – Jesus is Lord! Let us say it. Let us not be afraid of it or its consequences. Let the truth of God cross our lips even as it stirs the faith within us. Jesus is Lord, and His Kingdom comes. Do not delay your service of Him. Written, read & chanted, and produced by James Kurt. Music: "Duty" from Loving Spirit, third album of Songs for Children of Light, by James Kurt. ******* O LORD, help us bear the hardship of the Gospel that we might look upon your face. YHWH, you call us each day to love and to serve you that we might know your love in our hearts even this day. It is our great grace and blessing to do your will, for then we share in your glory, in your presence among us today. If we had but faith, O LORD, what is there we could not do in your Name? If with patience we waited for your coming, we would know how near you are. Help us to fan into flame the gift of your Spirit that makes us strong in holiness. O let us accomplish all you command, never turning our faces away! We have seen your works; we have done your works. We have spoken the Word you have placed in our hearts and on our lips. Let us not now doubt that you are God or think that any power of this earth holds any sway in our lives. Let us trust only in you, dear God, for your promise is on the horizon and you do not disappoint.