The theme linking today’s three readings is faith. He dialogued and questioned God; Why do you let me see ruin; why must I look at misery? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife and clamorous discord.”(Hbk.1:2-3). The Lord tells the prophet to wait and to have faith (Hbk. 2:4). The faith which enables the righteous their confidence, believed in God’s justice and patience in awaiting their great reward. St. Paul quotes these words (Rom 1:17; Gal 3:11; Heb. 10:38) to confirm his teaching that humanity receives justification and supernatural life through faith in Christ Jesus.
In the gospel Jesus is telling us that faith is a very powerful force, capable of unhoped-for-results. Faith is not something that gives us a right to reward. It is a gift that helps us to understand life and brings us happiness. We must thank God for it. At times we forget the gifts we have received and it is necessary to fan the flame and once again become aware of our privileged situation and the responsibility that entails. This is what St. Paul is recommending to us in the second reading.
The rite of lying on hands as already mentioned by St. Paul (1 Tim 4:14), passed on the gift of apostolic ministry; it has become the sign used in the Sacrament of Order. The Holy Spirit has been present in the Church since the day of Pentecost. All the time acting in her to sanctify the faithful and to ensure that her pastors (Successors of Peter) will guard in a Holy way the revelation that is the deposit of the faith given them by the Apostles and pass it on faithfully to others.
Jesus teaches about faith and service to God. The context is a continuing dialogue between Jesus and us, his followers, about what it means to be a truth disciple of Jesus. Jesus has just finished an instruction on sin and forgiveness. There are two related teachings that Jesus offers to us when we cry out for an increase in faith:
The first is the familiar reminder that faith, even just a little, will enable us to do wondrous things. But this uplifting and inspiring teaching is quickly followed by the second teaching, a caution about knowing one's place in God's plans. “Father, if it is your will, take this cup away from me. Nevertheless: let your will not mine be done” (Lk. 22:42). “Unless a wheat grain falls on the ground and dies, it remains only a single grain” (Jn. 12:24). This is a confirmation of Jesus’ Faith in the Father. We are to understand ourselves as stewards to God and his plans. Even when God works wonders through us, with our mustard seed-sized faith, we must not seek praise. Our participation in God's plans is God's grace to us-nothing more, nothing less.
When we are graced enough to cooperate with God, the work we do is nothing more than our obligation to God as faithful servants. And yet, our faith enables us to believe that what we have offered in service to God, as his servants, can be made to produce a hundredfold. Faith is a free gift from God. We must nourish it by meditating on the Words of God with the purpose of putting them into practice and through the reception of the Sacraments. Our faith grows when our prayers and actions are driven by charity and our faith is alive when inspired by love of God and neighbor.
Faith is a gift that enables us to trust in God’s care and in His power to realize His promises. It entails a commitment to God and to His loving ways, both in good and in bad times. With firm faith, one does not get discouraged when times remain rough and tough. Instead, one calmly perseveres in one’s commitment, trusting that God’s promises would eventually be realized. As long as one remains faithful and allows God’s love to operate within one’s heart, there would surely be results. These results can be extraordinary, comparable to the uprooting of a sycamore. God’s powerful love can touch hardened hearts and dissolve their selfishness and pride.
We must remember, however, that faith is a gift for which we must not fail to pray. I pray that the spirit of power and love strengthens our faith even if it were as small as the size of a mustard seed; we can do the seemingly impossible. Have a Wonderful and Blessed Sunday.
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