27TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME C
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THE STRENGTH OF THE
SMALL
We need to accept the fact that
at times, we discover that our faith is really small. Just as we think that our
faith is robust, comes a problem, a concern, or a difficulty that shakes us
from our foundation and threatens the root of our existence. Challenges and trials in life always
strike at the faith of a Christian.
Maybe this is the reason why in
the gospel (Lk 17:5ff) the earnest request of the disciples to the Lord was:
Lord increase our faith. And this is why this prayer is echoed on the lips of
so many each day: Lord increase my faith for I am going through a trying
relationship, a terrible sickness, anxieties over the future, a sense of
abandonment and confusion, a lack of security for the future. Lord increase my faith!
Only God can increase our faith!
But the Lord also gives us the chance to participate in the active growth of
our faith. He did not say: “Ok I will increase it!” And magically, faith
blossoms! Instead, the Lord Jesus said, even if your faith is as small as a
mustard seed (that’s very tiny), you can make miracles happen! What does it mean? It means that the
way to increase faith, aside from praying for it, is to put faith into action!
Believe! Walk in trust! Claim
your miracle and it will be yours! If all you do is pray or wish or ask but you
never exercise your small faith, it will not grow. Are you praying for
something today? Do you want God to help you reach your dreams? Is there
anything that your heart truly desires, in the midst of all your present
dilemmas?
With your small faith, say to
this problem, this obstacle, this sickness, this enemy, this concern – move
away from me and be transplanted elsewhere! And it will – that’s the Lord’s promise!
