WC 05/10 FAITH
- dclm01
- Sep 21
- 3 min read
We take this theme from the Gospel reading of the
27th SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME YEAR C
GATHER
+In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
What does the word "faith" mean? How is it different to 'belief','trust' or 'hope'?
When did you have to have faith in something or somebody else?
When did you not have enough faith to do something?
WORD
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke: Glory to you O Lord.
The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith.’
The Lord replied, ‘Were your faith the size of a mustard seed you could say to this mulberry tree, “Be uprooted and planted in the sea,” and it would obey you.
‘Which of you, with a servant ploughing or minding sheep, would say to him when he returned from the fields, “Come and have your meal immediately”? Would he not be more likely to say, “Get my supper laid; make yourself tidy and wait on me while I eat and drink. You can eat and drink yourself afterwards”? Must he be grateful to the servant for doing what he was told? So with you: when you have done all you have been told to do, say, “We are merely servants: we have done no more than our duty.”’
The Gospel of the Lord: Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.
RESPONSE
The apostles, seeing the powerful things Jesus was doing, came to him with a simple request: "Increase our faith!" It's a request we can all relate to. We often feel like our faith is too small or not strong enough to handle the challenges of our lives. But Jesus's answer to them is surprising. He doesn't tell them to work harder or to study more. He says,
“If you had faith the size of a mustard seed,
you could say to this mulberry tree,
‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’
and it would obey you.”
(Luke 17:6)
This is a powerful and very important lesson. Jesus is not telling us to get a huge amount of faith. In fact, a mustard seed was one of the tiniest seeds his audience would have known. Jesus is saying that the size of our faith is not what matters. Even a small amount of genuine, active faith is enough to do things that seem impossible. It's not about having perfect faith, but about having a humble and trusting faith, no matter how small it seems.
Jesus then tells them a second story about a servant who does his duty. The servant works all day and doesn't expect a thank you or a special reward from his master. He simply does what he is supposed to do. Jesus concludes by saying, "So should it be with you."
This parable connects faith to action and humility. Having faith isn't about getting a pat on the back or special recognition. It’s about doing the work that God has put in front of us, faithfully and without complaint. It's about serving him and others, even in the small, unglamorous and unseen ways, and not expecting a reward. Our faith is revealed in our willingness to serve, to work, and to trust that even our smallest efforts can be part of God’s great plan.
So, don't worry about having a big, impressive faith. Focus instead on nurturing whatever faith you have. Show it in your actions, your words, and your humble service to others. Trust that God can use your smallest efforts to do great things.
How does Jesus’ message challenge or comfort you?
MISSION
Do something that challenges you today. Perhaps something that you wouldn't normally do or have been putting off. Have faith in yourself.
Do some act of service for someone else today. Don't expect any reward or praise.
Visit a chapel or prayer space for moment of prayer. Ask God to increase your faith.
Or just prayer where you are instead of scrolling.
COLLECT
Let us pray…
Almighty ever-living God,
who in the abundance of your kindness
surpass the merits and the desires of those who entreat you,
pour out your mercy upon us
to pardon what conscience dreads
and to give what prayer does not dare to ask.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen.
