Increase our faith
october 5, 2025 | 27th sunday in ordinary time, Year C
Habakkuk 12-3;2:2-4 Psalm 95; 2 Timothy 1:6-8, 13-14; Luke 17: 5-10
Dear brothers and sisters, on this 27th Sunday, we are invited to meditate on the theological virtue of faith (CCC #1814). The context in today’s gospel is that, Jesus is giving some hard teachings when he says: “love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you” (Luke 6:27-36), or “If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.” Failing to easily accept and understand such a divine teaching of Christ, the disciples made one of the greatest requests: “Lord, increase our faith!” (Luke 17:5). Jesus, as always, uses this opportunity to teach them rather about the works of faith. He replied, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.”
Lesson from the mulberry tree
In the time of Jesus, the mulberry tree was known as a very large tree with its very strong and powerful root system. This tree could stay rooted for about 600 years. The characteristics of this tree are important to understand the power of faith. Faith can do what seems impossible to human understanding. Even a little faith like a mustard seed can uproot the mulberry tree and plant it in the sea. Yet, we all know how difficult it could be to plant a tree in the sea. Jesus teaches us that people of tiny genuine faith focus God’s power and not on visible evidence. Our dear Lord is inviting us to lean on God’s unseen power and presence even when immediate results are not apparent. Our life’s overwhelming challenges and insurmountable problems can be solved by the power of our unwavering trust in God. No wonder, Jesus looked at his disciples and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Mt. 19:26)Let us trust in God’s power and not in our strength. Like with the disciple in the time of Jesus, It might seem difficult for us to forgive our enemies, to pray for our persecutors, to give our ten percent of our treasure, talents and time, but like the disciples, let’s like Timothy exercise our faith boldly without fear and we will be amazed at the results of God’s unseen blessings.
Faith as our response to God
The Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us that, faith is a supernatural virtue, a gift from and a human act of freely submitting one’s intellect and will to God’s truth. “Faith is first of all a personal adherence . . . to God.” (CCC 150). By the help of the Holy Spirit, our faith helps us to respond to God who created us, who is speaking to us, who is accompanying us,who is guiding us, who is protecting, forgiving and loving us. Our faith is beyond just believing but taking action in total trust in the power of God. “Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen” (Heb. 11:1). Pope Benedict XVI concluded that the power of faith lies in its ability to transform lives by fostering trust in God's love and presence, offering liberation from fear and slavery, and providing a deep, meaningful foundation for existence.
Fr. Georges Roger Bidzogo sac
Living The Gospel This Week: Trusting God in adversity
We must remember that, even when we have faith, we will not be challenge-free or get all that we want when we pray. Even with strong faith, we may not always receive physical healing when we fall ill, but above all, God will bring us some comfort. Faith can take pain from every grief, take the suffering from every loss, quench the fire of every pain. Let’s trust God in difficult times. How can we do this?
1) Remember God’s past actions and read Scripture for comfort and guidance (Read 2 Corinthians 1:3-4) 2) Pray with honesty and a focus on God’s truth and promises (Isaiah 41:10; 46:1)
3) Acknowledge your doubts and ask for renewed faith, spend time in God's presence in a blessed sacrament.
4) Seek peace by inviting the Holy Spirit as the comforter.
Prayer: God of all comfort, you are my refuge in times of trouble. As I am struggling right now, I ask for your wisdom, strength, comfort and peace. Lord, surround me by the power of the Holy Spirit through Christ my Saviour and my Lord. Amen.
Fr. Georges Roger Bidzogo sac