How is your faith?
Reflection
Increase our faith, Lord. Increase our faith.
My dear brothers and sisters,
Today, all three readings invite us to reflect deeply on faith — what it is, how it works, and how we can grow in it. The disciples’ cry to Jesus, “Increase our faith!” (Lk 17:5) is also our own cry, especially when life gets overwhelming, when forgiveness is hard, and when we feel that our faith is too small to carry us through.
The Church teaches us that faith is first a gift from God, a theological virtue infused in us at baptism. It allows us to believe what God has revealed, not because we fully understand it, but because we trust the One who speaks.
But faith is more than just belief in doctrines; faith is a relationship—a personal, trusting, loving bond with Christ. As the writer of the letter to the Hebrews says, “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for” (11:1). In his letter to Timothy, Paul encourages him to remain steadfast and loyal to Christ and the teachings of the Church. That’s what living faith looks like: fidelity to Christ expressed in daily commitment and humble service.
Jesus reminds us in the Gospel that it’s not about the size of our faith, but about placing even the smallest faith in a powerful and faithful God. “If you had faith the size of a mustard seed…” (Lk 17:6). A small amount of deep, genuine faith—if it is alive, trusting, and obedient—can move mountains, or even uproot trees.
The prophet Habakkuk gives us another angle on faith. He cries out to God in frustration, asking why evil seems to triumph. God’s response is both gentle and firm:
“The vision still has its time, presses on to fulfillment, and will not disappoint… If it delays, wait for it. The just one, because of his faith, shall live.” (Hab 2:3–4)
God assures us that even when His promises seem slow, they will come, and faith gives us the strength to wait with hope. It is through faith that the just—those in right relationship with God—will live, even in times of darkness.
There are moments in life when faith is difficult—when we are burdened, tired, and tempted to rely on our own strength. But Jesus speaks to those weary souls with His gentle invitation:
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest…” (Mt 11:28)
This beautiful message was captured in a song by Cecile Azarcon, made famous by Basil Valdez in 1980:
🎵And He said, "Cast your burdens upon Me,
Those who are heavily laden,
Come to Me, all of you who are tired
Of carrying heavy loads,
For the yoke I will give you is easy
And My burden is light,
Come to Me and I will give you rest."🎵
(Based on Matthew 11:28–30 and Psalm 55:22)
In the second part of today’s Gospel, Jesus tells a short parable about a servant doing his duty. This is not meant to diminish the servant’s work but to highlight a truth: faith must be lived out in obedience and humble service, not just felt emotionally or confessed intellectually.
Faith becomes real when it moves us to act—when we forgive others, care for the suffering, speak truth, and serve without expecting reward or praise. As Jesus teaches us, “When you have done all you have been commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’” (Lk 17:10)
And so, what does this mean for us? How do we live out our faith.
1. Be grateful to God, always.
Let us remember to thank God not only in difficulty but in times of success and joy. Faith reminds us that all good things come from His hand. Let us not forget the Giver while enjoying His gifts.
2. Grow in faith through service
We grow in faith by acting in faith. A kind word, a patient response, or a small act of charity can do more than many long sermons. Ask the Lord: “Where are You calling me to serve You today?”
3. Strengthen faith through the Church
Christ has given us the tools to strengthen our faith: prayer, the Word of God, the Eucharist (the “Mystery of Faith”), and the life of the Church. Let us not neglect these. They are not extras—they are essentials.
And so, my dear brothers and sisters, as we continue with our celebration let us ask God;
“Lord, increase our faith!”
And at the same time, let us also pray for our good Lord to increase our perseverance. Increase our love. Help us to trust in His perfect timing, to serve Him with humble hearts, and to live out our faith in him each day with joyful obedience.
Even if all we have is mustard-seed faith, it is more than enough—if we place it in the hands of the God who can do all things.
Let this be our prayer.
Photo: Rod Long on Unsplash.
The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith."
The Lord replied,
"If you have faith the size of a mustard seed,
you would say to this mulberry tree,
'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it would obey you.
"Who among you would say to your servant
who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field,
'Come here immediately and take your place at table'?
Would he not rather say to him,
'Prepare something for me to eat.
Put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink.
You may eat and drink when I am finished'?
Is he grateful to that servant because he did what was commanded?
So should it be with you.
When you have done all you have been commanded,
say, 'We are unprofitable servants;
we have done what we were obliged to do.'"
Increase our faith, Lord. Increase our faith.
My dear brothers and sisters,
Today, all three readings invite us to reflect deeply on faith — what it is, how it works, and how we can grow in it. The disciples’ cry to Jesus, “Increase our faith!” (Lk 17:5) is also our own cry, especially when life gets overwhelming, when forgiveness is hard, and when we feel that our faith is too small to carry us through.
The Church teaches us that faith is first a gift from God, a theological virtue infused in us at baptism. It allows us to believe what God has revealed, not because we fully understand it, but because we trust the One who speaks.
But faith is more than just belief in doctrines; faith is a relationship—a personal, trusting, loving bond with Christ. As the writer of the letter to the Hebrews says, “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for” (11:1). In his letter to Timothy, Paul encourages him to remain steadfast and loyal to Christ and the teachings of the Church. That’s what living faith looks like: fidelity to Christ expressed in daily commitment and humble service.
Jesus reminds us in the Gospel that it’s not about the size of our faith, but about placing even the smallest faith in a powerful and faithful God. “If you had faith the size of a mustard seed…” (Lk 17:6). A small amount of deep, genuine faith—if it is alive, trusting, and obedient—can move mountains, or even uproot trees.
The prophet Habakkuk gives us another angle on faith. He cries out to God in frustration, asking why evil seems to triumph. God’s response is both gentle and firm:
“The vision still has its time, presses on to fulfillment, and will not disappoint… If it delays, wait for it. The just one, because of his faith, shall live.” (Hab 2:3–4)
God assures us that even when His promises seem slow, they will come, and faith gives us the strength to wait with hope. It is through faith that the just—those in right relationship with God—will live, even in times of darkness.
There are moments in life when faith is difficult—when we are burdened, tired, and tempted to rely on our own strength. But Jesus speaks to those weary souls with His gentle invitation:
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest…” (Mt 11:28)
This beautiful message was captured in a song by Cecile Azarcon, made famous by Basil Valdez in 1980:
🎵And He said, "Cast your burdens upon Me,
Those who are heavily laden,
Come to Me, all of you who are tired
Of carrying heavy loads,
For the yoke I will give you is easy
And My burden is light,
Come to Me and I will give you rest."🎵
(Based on Matthew 11:28–30 and Psalm 55:22)
In the second part of today’s Gospel, Jesus tells a short parable about a servant doing his duty. This is not meant to diminish the servant’s work but to highlight a truth: faith must be lived out in obedience and humble service, not just felt emotionally or confessed intellectually.
Faith becomes real when it moves us to act—when we forgive others, care for the suffering, speak truth, and serve without expecting reward or praise. As Jesus teaches us, “When you have done all you have been commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’” (Lk 17:10)
And so, what does this mean for us? How do we live out our faith.
1. Be grateful to God, always.
Let us remember to thank God not only in difficulty but in times of success and joy. Faith reminds us that all good things come from His hand. Let us not forget the Giver while enjoying His gifts.
2. Grow in faith through service
We grow in faith by acting in faith. A kind word, a patient response, or a small act of charity can do more than many long sermons. Ask the Lord: “Where are You calling me to serve You today?”
3. Strengthen faith through the Church
Christ has given us the tools to strengthen our faith: prayer, the Word of God, the Eucharist (the “Mystery of Faith”), and the life of the Church. Let us not neglect these. They are not extras—they are essentials.
And so, my dear brothers and sisters, as we continue with our celebration let us ask God;
“Lord, increase our faith!”
And at the same time, let us also pray for our good Lord to increase our perseverance. Increase our love. Help us to trust in His perfect timing, to serve Him with humble hearts, and to live out our faith in him each day with joyful obedience.
Even if all we have is mustard-seed faith, it is more than enough—if we place it in the hands of the God who can do all things.
Let this be our prayer.
Photo: Rod Long on Unsplash.
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