If You Have Faith the Size of a Mustard Seed…

10-05-2025Weekly ReflectionFr. Albert

All the three readings for the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time speak a lot about ''Faith'' and how it works in our lives. They give us three dimensions of Faith. 1. The theological virtue of Faith enables us to believe something to be true and therefore worthy of trust simply because it has been revealed to us by God. 2. In his instructions to Timothy, Paul, who elsewhere defined Faith as '' the assurance of the things hoped for'' shows Faith operating as a believing, trusting, loving relationship with Christ. 3. Finally, Christian Faith is the trusting Faith in God in action, expressed by that steadfast loyalty, fidelity and total commitment to Him which results in our offering ourselves to Him in those we encounter through our humble, loving service.

"If you have faith the size of a mustard seed" Faith means putting our trust in the authority of God and in the truth of His doctrines. Faith also refers to assent to doctrines about God taught by Jesus and the Church. Faith refers to a bond of relationship with God. Jesus tells us that if we have even a small relationship with our Heavenly father, we can do anything. No matter how weak it seems, Faith is an overwhelming power. Even a little dose of Faith can direct our lives, comfort us when we are discouraged and challenge us when we are complacent. Jesus reminds the Apostles that it is not the greatness of their faith, but rather the greatness of God's power working through them that all will move mountains. Forgiveness is a gift of God's grace, activated through Faith. when a person of Faith is trustingly receptive to God's power, all things become possible even moving mountains or forgiving bitter enemies.

Planting a tree in the sea using words alone impossible and ridiculous to us. But, using this cartoon metaphor, Jesus challenges us to attempt the difficult things of life. The tree Jesus mentions is a variety of large, deeply rooted mulberry tree that grows in the Middle East. By this strange example, Jesus shows us that we, too, can perform miracles. The parable of the Under Appreciated Servant teaches that Faith requires action. it also gives a lesson in theological Humility, reminding us that, as followers of Jesus, we are God's servants. This becomes evident in the parable about the master who expects his servant to carry out his orders. When the servant returns from working in the fields, he also has housework to do. His master does nor feel indebted to his servant for his fidelity in doing what is all part of his duty. in the same manner, the Apostles, and we, are expected to carry out the orders Jesus gives us.

The Apostles, and we, are the servants of the Gospel. so, we can never feel that we have worked ''enough''. We must regard ourselves as God's servant, as did Jesus who came ''not to be served but to serve '''. service to God and neighbor is a voluntary or free act which springs from a generous and merciful heart. It is a sacred duty which we owe to God. We acknowledge our bond with God as the source of our virtue. The stronger our relationship with God, the more will we be empowered to forgive others and do good to them.