Every Sunday we gather for the Eucharist, we are invited into the mystery of God’s love and reminded of the two virtues at the heart of the Christian life: faith and humility. This week’s readings draw our attention to these themes in a profound way.
In the Gospel (Luke 17:5–10), the apostles make a simple but powerful request: “Lord, increase our faith!” Jesus responds with the image of a mustard seed—tiny, almost invisible, yet filled with life. He tells them that even faith as small as this seed can do the impossible: it can uproot a deeply rooted tree and plant it in the sea. His words remind us that faith is not measured by quantity, but by trust. It is not about how much we know, but how much we surrender ourselves to God’s power.
The apostles’ prayer is one we can take into our own hearts as we come to Mass: Lord, increase our faith. Whether we arrive with burdens, questions, or joys, the Eucharist strengthens our trust in God, who is capable of doing what seems impossible. At Mass, we hear God’s Word, which plants seeds of faith in us. We receive the Eucharist, which nourishes those seeds and allows them to grow.
But Jesus doesn’t stop at faith. He also gives us the parable of the dutiful servants. After a long day of labor, the servant still prepares the master’s meal without expecting thanks or reward. Jesus concludes with strong words: “When you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’”
At first, this may sound harsh, but its lesson is essential: discipleship is not about pride or self-importance; it is about humility. Faith and humility go hand in hand. Faith requires us to trust God beyond ourselves, and humility reminds us that all we have—our talents, our service, even our faith itself—is gift. We do not earn God’s love; we receive it.
When we come to Mass, these two virtues are placed before us again and again. Faith enables us to believe that the bread and wine truly become the Body and Blood of Christ. Humility allows us to kneel before this mystery and recognize our dependence on God. It is in humility that we say before Communion, “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.”
The prophet Habakkuk, in the first reading, gives voice to every heart that has ever cried out in pain: “O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear?” His lament echoes our own experiences of unanswered prayer and suffering. Yet God’s reply is clear: “If it seems slow, wait for it… the righteous shall live by faith.” Here again, we find the call to trust and to wait. At Mass, we bring these cries to the altar, uniting them with Christ’s sacrifice, confident that God’s timing is always perfect.
The Responsorial Psalm strengthens this message: “If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.” The Israelites in the desert tested God even after witnessing His wonders. We too can harden our hearts when life feels overwhelming. Yet every Eucharist is an invitation to soften our hearts, to open ourselves to the grace God desires to give.
Finally, the Mass reminds us that humility and faith are not abstract virtues—they are lived. Parents who lovingly care for their children, employees who faithfully work, parishioners who quietly serve—all embody the servant’s attitude in the Gospel. In doing our duty with love, without seeking recognition, we imitate Christ, who came not to be served but to serve.
As we gather this Sunday, may we renew the apostles’ prayer: “Lord, increase our faith.” May we approach the altar with humble hearts, trusting that even the smallest seed of faith, nourished by the Eucharist, can bear fruit beyond our imagination.
