From pastor’s desk on the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time, year C
It is all about faith. This Sunday’s gospel contains the very famous parable of the mustard seed. In the Gospel of Luke, we read these words of our Lord Jesus:
“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.”
According to Luke’s version of the gospel, Jesus tells us to have a little bit of faith, be it “small” like a mustard seed, so that we may do great things and perform miracles similar to those performed by our Lord. In the gospel of Matthew, we hear even more. Jesus tells us that if we had faith the size of a mustard seed, we could move even the mountains and nothing would be impossible for us (Mat 17:20). This parable, however, is not about commanding the natural world like trees and mountains. It is a biblical figure of speech helping us to understand a much deeper spiritual reality.
By means of the parable of the mustard seed, Jesus reminds us that what may look small in the beginning, has a great potential to grow. The mustard seed is a relatively small seed, but out of it will grow a large bush, where even the birds can nest. And yes, with true faith we can move mountains, maybe not the physical mountains yet, but certainly the mountains and valleys of our life that need to be moved or filled with true faith in God. All that is lying heavy on our hearts and minds and presents itself as an obstacle on the road to salvation—that is what needs to be moved—mostly sin and doubt. Great deeds begin with small faith, with a simple act of trust that Jesus is my Lord and Savior, that He is the Good Shepherd and I shall lack nothing while He is with me. This is true Christian faith, the faith in Jesus Christ. It is crucial that we embrace it, for it will lead us to “all truth.” It is exactly putting on Christ that will change our lives, for our faith grows in relationship with Jesus, and not outside of it.
In other words, our Lord Jesus invites us to trust Him completely and unconditionally so that our life may be directed according to faith in Him. For us Christians, it is faith in Jesus and through Jesus in God the Father that really matters; everything else is only the consequence of that initial choice—the little seed put in our heart, which will grow into all areas of our life. Let us remember that each of our thoughts, every word, every decision, and all our actions reflect what we believe. If we do not believe in God, we act accordingly. If we do believe in the God of Jesus Christ, then our every action will permeate our faith in Him. Then we will know how to follow Him while carrying our daily crosses.
Speaking of trees, you might have noticed that we have cut down four trees on the rectory’s front lawn. Unfortunately, for the last two years, they were all dry and their branches were falling while creating a hazard for people sitting under those trees. So, it was necessary to remove them. We are planning to plant five maple trees in place of the old ones as well as putting a few more trees around the church and the rectory. If any family would like to “adopt” and sponsor a tree, it would be greatly appreciated.
I pray that your faith in God may grow, that you may see the many wonders that God has prepared for those who believe.
Have a blessed week. Fr. Janusz Mocarski, pastor