"If you have faith the size of a mustard seed . . . "
Word for Sunday: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/100216.cfm
Habakkuk 1: 2-3, 2: 2-4
Tm 1: 6-8, 13-14
Lk 17: 5-10
Some people love details. They tend to focus on what
may seem the smallest minutia in order to accomplish a task. Thank God for
architects and engineers whose drawings and design must be exact down to the
finest lines and measurements.
On this Respect Life Sunday and the beginning of
October in which we are asked to honor the sanctity of human life, we must not
forget that God’s infinite creation involves the tinniest of details. Designed
with mind boggling complexity of living organisms composed of intricate DNA,
cells, atoms, in a fragile balance of life, in an ordered universe that may
appear random and at times violent to us, God has created beauty and mystery. We believe
that among all that has come into existence, the human being is at the top of
it all. In the story of creation from the Book of Genesis God saved the best
for the last – human life created on the sixth day, in the “image of God he
created them; male and female.”
Today’s readings both from Paul to Timothy and the
Gospel of Luke, we hear of details, growth and reverence. Paul writes to
Timothy, “I remind you, to stir into flame the gift of God that you have
through the imposition of my hands. For God did not give you a spirit of
cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control.” (2 Tim. 1: 6-7). The
young Bishop, ordained by Paul, is encouraged to recognize the seed of the gift
given to him and is reminded to care for it; to allow its growth and to use it
for the good of the Church.
The Apostles ask Jesus, “. . . Lord, ‘Increase our
faith.’ 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.’” (Lk 17: 5-6). Who wouldn’t want a stronger faith? Is the tiny
size of a mustard seed all we need or is God asking for more? Certainly the
Apostles better than anyone knew that following Jesus was becoming increasingly
more of a challenge. They witnessed his miracles, they heard his teaching about
“love your enemies and do good to those who hate you,” and they knew that
despite the overwhelming admiring crowds, there were enough in power who were
threatened and determined to stop him. Only with stronger faith could they
maintain their loyalty to Jesus. Isn’t the same true for us?
We find ourselves planted firmly in a society that is
enamored by everything new. Technology, for all of its benefits, is
exponential. There is no end to the possibilities and it has created a society
of artificial communication. We treasure (worship?) what we want, we will stand in line for hours to get it, and we will obsess over
the latest gadget. But life, in all of its stages from conception to natural
death, sometimes seems less gratifying, efficient or instantaneous. We treasure
our cell phones, I-pods, computers, I-pads, social networks why? Because they
give us instant pleasure, immediate communication, and let’s face it, look
pretty cool!
Yet, among all that we hold dear, the gift of human
life is a treasure that cannot be replaced.
Whether it be the unborn child, the infant in the arms
of its mother, the disabled, the poor, the immigrant without a home, the
imprisoned, the elderly or dying, there is no form of technology that could
surpass human life in value or importance.
Faith like that of a mustard seed is not where we stop.
Faith that grows, is watered, nurtured, and tended carefully is the only way
that we will come to see the treasure that is in each of us, made in the image
and likeness of God.
Almighty ever-living God,
who in the abundance of your kindness
surpass the merits and the desires of those who entreat you,
pour out your mercy upon us
to pardon what conscience dreads
and to give what prayer does not dare to ask.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, you Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
(Collect of Sunday)
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