Increase Our Faith
October 2, 2022: A Reflection for the 27th Sunday in OT, Year C
Luke 17:5-10
The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.” Lk 17:5
Jesus, if you were to appear before us right now and ask us, “Does anyone want more faith?” I’m sure there would be a flurry of hands waving, with myself waving the most. Who wouldn’t want more faith? At least, that is how it appears to us. Jesus responds to the request of his disciples to increase their faith with a surprising reply though. He tells them that the gift of faith is there, deep within them. Maybe our idea of faith isn’t exactly accurate. Could Jesus be meaning something else about the nature of faith?
Jesus seems to be saying that the mustard seed of faith is all that we need. It is alive because, ultimately, it is faith in the Person of God. Like a seed, it grows. It’s not a question of the size of faith, but of the soil in which the seed is planted and from which it draws its life. And if it is planted in God in the depths of our being and watered by deeds inspired by the Spirit, it is more than enough. It is enough faith just to be faithful. To be faithful, full-of-faith, to our daily duties, to God present in the ordinariness of each day.
It is not a question of quantity, how much or how little, but of life, how we nourish it by our actions. Of sinking its roots in the deep soil of God’s love, mercy, and kindness. And sharing it by living in communion, in service, in self-sacrificing love. By yielding to faithfulness in the little things: a smile of welcome or understanding, a helping hand, doing the job we’d rather not have to do, not grudgingly but in faith. So many ways…
So faith is placed ultimately IN God. And in God, it’s not about acquiring more faith so I can do something important or impressive. It doesn’t mean that we won’t have to struggle with doubt or be afraid. But it DOES mean that we “know Him in whom we have believed.” We have faith in Him, the one who became incarnate and loved us to the end. In Him we have placed our faith and this faith will never disappoint. Jesus is faithful and shows us the way. We have all the faith we need. We have only to let the seed unfurl it’s leaves and grow in the likeness of Christ.