“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.” (Luke 17:6)

The major theme for this 27^th Sunday in ordinary time focuses on our “faith” and explains how it works in our Christian discipleship and in our daily life.

Faith, derived from Latin word “fides,” means confidence or trust in God. It is a lifestyle, an activity of trusting, committing, and relating to God, others and the world. Objectively, faith is based on the sum of truths revealed by God in Scripture and tradition and which the Church presents in a brief form in its creeds (i.e. Nicene Creed and Apostles Creed). Subjectively, faith stands for the habit or virtue by which these truths are assented to.

The Vatican Council (III, iii) says, "We believe that God’s revelation is true, not because the intrinsic truth of the mysteries is clearly seen by the natural light of reason, but because of the authority of God Who reveals them, for God is Truth and can neither deceive nor be deceived." Therefore, God is worthy of our trust and faith.

The Bible points out that Faith is “the assurance of the things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). St. James says: “Show me your faith without works, and I will show you my faith with works, for faith without works is dead” (James 2:18-20). Therefore, faith compels us to engage in different works of mercy and to become the fundamental element of our Christian discipleship and way of life. 

God does not want us holding a relationship of Transaction but Transformation. Therefore, Dynamic Christian disciples are those who (1) BELIEVE, (2) GROW, (3) SERVE, (4) LOVE and (5) LEAD others to Jesus. Today’s topic invites us to foster our faith in God, despite challenges in our lives, to exercise our Christian stewardship, to use our time, treasure and talents to love God above all and to love our neighbors as ourselves in doing the works of mercy, to accomplish God’s will in our lives to glorify God.  

How can we, despite adversity and trials in life, help each other grow in faith and appreciate God’s divine providence, sharing our time, treasure and talents to build up our beloved St. Clement Church for the greater glory of God?

Wishing everyone a blessed week in the Lord.