Dear Parishioners,
Take it From a Mustard Seed
This week’s Gospel reveals the power of faith. The Gospel account describes how Jesus responds to the Apostles’ request to increase their faith. Jesus uses the example of a faithful servant who has been laboring all day in the fields. Jesus asks them to consider how the master might respond to the servants work. Jesus describes two scenarios and He asks the Apostles which one is more likely to occur?
In the first scenario, Jesus asks them who among you would let this servant come in after working so hard and sit down to rest and eat at table? Without waiting for a response, Jesus gives them the second scenario which may be more likely. He says, “Would he 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 when I am finished.’”
The expectation of the master is that it is the servant’s duty to serve — it doesn’t matter if he is tired or hungry or hurting — he must do what his master asks of him.
In a way, Jesus is describing faith. Faith allows us to do what is right despite hardships, disappointments or frustrations because faith does not seek a reward or recognition. Faith is trust — trust that God is aware of, and appreciates, all we do. If we have true faith, we can live this!
True faith, no matter how small, is capable of doing immense things. A mustard seed is one of the smallest seeds in the world, but the tree that comes forth can grow to be 20 to 30 feet tall, and it can be as wide as it is tall! Is Jesus telling us we only need to have a little faith? Perhaps He is suggesting that even if faith starts out small, it has the capacity to grow and yield amazing results. In chemistry, a catalyst is an agent that is added to a reaction in a very small amount, but its effects are so powerful that it drives the entire reaction to completion!!! So never underestimate the power of faith!!
Sincerely in Christ,
Father Lito