GOSPEL: LUKE 17:5-10
LIVE BY FAITH!
Dear friends,
The word of God invites us to reflect on one of the most important Christian and theological virtues – Faith. It is the foundation of our Christian life. Faith gives us a new vision and version of life. Jesus had just warned his disciples not to become stumbling blocks to others and enjoined them to forgive as often as an offender repents even if it is seven times in one day. That will be difficult. It will be a challenge to live that way. “Increase our faith,” is their response.
Jesus is very clear that faithfulness is not about size or quantity. “If you had faith the size of a mustard seed,” he says, “you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.”Faith is not measured out according to how difficult the task or work before us. Faith is not a thing we have or get. Faith is a relationship of trust and love in the one living God. Faith will not, however, change the circumstances of our lives. Instead, it changes us. Living in faith does not shield us from the pain and difficulties of life, it does not undo the past, and it will not guarantee a particular future. Rather, faith is the means by which we face and deal with the circumstances of life – the difficulties and losses, the joys and successes, the opportunities and possibilities. Without faith, we see only the ugly and dark side of life. Without faith, we remain helpless and slaves to despair and hopelessness. Faith liberates us and helps us to see the power and love of God at work in our lives.
Faith, however, is not lived out in the abstract. It is practiced day after day in the ordinary everyday circumstances that life presents. Faithfulness means that no matter where we go, no matter what circumstances we face we do so in relationship with the One who created, loves and sustains us.
We live by faith not because we have enough faith but because we have faith, even mustard seed sized faith. That is all we need. The question is not how much faith we have but, rather, how are we living the faith we do have. How is our faith, our relationship with Jesus, changing our lives, our relationships, the lives of others? If it is not, more of the same will surely make no difference. Let us live out our faith in love (CARITAS).
God Bless,
Rev. Father Frank Kyazze
