In the Gospel the apostles asked Jesus, “Increase our faith.” What answer did the Apostles receive? Did Jesus increase his apostles’ faith? No He did not. Instead, He said, “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea’, and it would obey you.”

This statement of Jesus about moving mountains and uprooting trees by faith is not to be taken literally. By using the uncommonly small mustard seed as an example, Jesus is speaking figuratively about the incalculable power of God can be manifested in the lives of those with true faith. By using the analogy of a mustard seed, Jesus is simply defining the nature of faith which is a gift from God. The mustard seed is one of the tiniest seeds so the conclusion is that the amount of faith needed to do great things is very small indeed. We don't need to increase our faith to do God’s will. We just need a pure faith the size of a mustard seed, a faith without doubt and unbelief.

Holy Scripture is full of models of faith. There is our Mother Mary, a central figure in the Catholic Faith. At the annunciation, Mary responded without wavering to the pronouncement of angel Gabriel that she is going to bear a son. Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Mary became an instrument of faith and stayed committed in her role of bringing to life God’s promised Son.

There is Abraham our father of faith. God came to him and said ‘Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you. Abraham departed, and he trusted and believed God that He would guide him & his family into uncharted territory. There was no questioning and no wavering! He showed his faith by departing. This was a profound act of faith.

Through the centuries we encounter many wonderful examples of faith even in the midst of despair and darkness. One example is San Lorenzo Ruiz, the first Filipino Saint. San Lorenzo Ruiz died as a martyr for the faith. When he was being tortured his persecutors said, “Deny your faith and we will spare your life.” To which Lorenzo Ruiz answered, “I will never do it. I am a Catholic and wholeheartedly accept death for God. Had I a thousand lives, all these to Him I shall offer. Do with me as you please.”

By Deacon Mar Tano