10/5/2025 (Sunday) Today’s Gospel reading: Luke 17:5-10

5 The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.”
6 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.
7 “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’?
8 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’?
9 Is he grateful to that servant because he did what was commanded?
10 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.’”

10/5/2025 (Sunday) Today’s Gospel reflection: Luke 17:5-10

There are times in life when we feel that our faith is not enough. We compare ourselves with others who seem stronger, braver, or more prayerful, and we wonder if we are lacking. The disciples once felt the same way. They asked for greater faith, hoping that if they had more of it, they could accomplish bigger things. But the truth is that faith is not about quantity; it is about trust. Even a small seed of faith, when rooted in God, has the power to grow into something extraordinary.

Think of planting a seed. A farmer does not begin with a massive tree, but with something tiny and often unimpressive. Over time, with sunlight, water, and care, the seed grows. In the same way, faith is not measured by how much we have in a single moment, but by our willingness to nurture and live it out daily. A single act of trust like choosing to forgive, speaking kindly when insulted, or standing firm in honesty at work, becomes the soil where faith expands.

We often wait for “big moments” to prove our faith, like facing a major crisis or making a life-changing decision. Yet most of our lives are built in small, unnoticed moments. A teacher who patiently explains a lesson to a struggling child, a nurse who cares tenderly for a patient, or a parent who keeps showing love even when exhausted—all of these are examples of faith in action. These acts may seem ordinary, but they shape the world around us in extraordinary ways.

This passage also reminds us that faith is tied to humility. Sometimes we want recognition when we do good things. We long to hear, “You are so kind,” or “You are so faithful.” But true faith does not demand applause. It simply serves because love calls it to do so. Imagine a family member who quietly cooks meals every day, never asking for thanks but doing it out of love. Or consider a volunteer who helps at a shelter, not for recognition, but because compassion stirs their heart. This is the kind of faith that pleases God — simple, steady, and humble.

We live in a culture that celebrates the spectacular or miraculous. Social media often highlights grand achievements, big donations, or viral acts of kindness. But God’s kingdom often works in the unseen. It is in the private prayers for someone who will never know we prayed. It is in the consistent honesty of an employee who refuses shortcuts. It is in the quiet endurance of someone who chooses to trust God through illness or hardship.

Faith grows when we stop asking, “Do I have enough?” and instead begin living as if God’s promises are already true. A person who struggles with financial worries but still chooses to give a small portion to someone in need is exercising powerful faith. A student who feels nervous about the future but continues to study diligently with hope is also living out faith.

And as we practice faith in the small things, it shapes our character. We become more patient, more resilient, more compassionate. These qualities then prepare us for bigger challenges when they come. The small daily acts of trust, service, and humility are what truly deepen our faith.

So let us not be discouraged when we feel our faith is small. What matters is not its size, but the One in whom it is placed. A mustard seed of genuine trust in God, lived out with humility and service, can move mountains in ways we cannot yet see. Instead of asking for “more faith,” let us practice the faith we already have, trusting that God will make it grow.

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