Behold the Mustard Seed ~ A Reflection on the Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time (C)

Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time (C)

Hb 1:2-3; 2:2-4

Ps 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9

2 Tm 1:6-8, 13-14

Lk 17:5-10

In today's Gospel reading from Luke, we find the apostles asking Jesus to increase their faith.  Even though they had been around Jesus throughout his ministry, the apostles thought that something was still lacking in themselves.  They had seen his mighty works, his miracles. They believed him to be the Son of God and the promised Messiah, and yet, they recognized that their faith in him might not be strong enough for whatever the future might bring.  They were not blind to the jealousy and hatred the religious leaders and their followers showed for Jesus.  What did the future hold for them?

Jesus simply responded to their request by pointing out that even with faith as tiny as a mustard seed, you could move mountains (or a mulberry tree in Luke's version).

Take a mustard seed, or any seed for that matter.  A seed holds promise.  If that seed is planted and nurtured, it will take root and grow and bear whatever fruit it is supposed to bear.

How do we nurture and increase the faith in God that we have been given?  Through prayer and the reading of Scripture, through the Sacraments, by attendance at Mass, through sacrifice and by living our lives serving the needs of others.  God's grace fills our lives and through his nurturing grace, our faith increases...

St. Paul, in his second Letter to Timothy, speaks to him about the faith that Timothy needs to protect in himself.  "Guard this rich trust with the help of the Holy Spirit that dwells within us."  You see, we are not alone in keeping the faith.  The Holy Spirit is there with us, to help us and guide us along the way.    



Image Source ~ Prepare for Mass