2025-10-05 10:30 am Sunday celebration of the Mass for the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time.

Good morning everyone and welcome to the celebration of the Mass for the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time In the reading from the Holy Gospel today, (Luke 17:5-10) we are taught that faith is not about quantity but the quality of obedience and action, as demonstrated by the parable of the mustard seed and the master-servant metaphor. The disciples' request to "increase our faith" is met with the reminder that even a small amount of faith, when acting in obedience to God, can accomplish what seems impossible. The passage calls for continuous, humble service and a focus on faithful, present action rather than an expectation of reward or more impressive displays of faith. The Mustard Seed Faith (17:5-6) The Disciples' Plea: The apostles, still grappling with Jesus' previous teachings about causing others to stumble, ask for "more faith". Jesus' Response: Jesus responds with an analogy: if they had faith the size of a mustard seed, they could command a mulberry tree to uproot itself and plant in the sea. Meaning: This emphasizes that the amount of faith isn't the issue; rather, it's the faith itself that, when put into action, can achieve miraculous things, moving obstacles in God's will. The Worthless Slave (17:7-10) The Master-Slave Metaphor: Jesus continues by using a metaphor from the ancient social structure, asking if a master would expect a slave who has completed all their assigned tasks to sit down and be waited on. The Answer: Of course not; the slave would first complete their service. Meaning: Jesus uses this to illustrate that disciples should see themselves as slaves to God, fulfilling their duties and expectations of faith without expecting praise or extra reward. What is done out of obedience is simply what ought to be done. KEY TAKEAWAYS Faith in Action: Faith is not a passive belief but an active, obedient response to God's initiative, which must be put into practice. Focus on Service: Instead of seeking greater "amounts" of faith, the focus should be on living out the faith one already has through constant, humble service and obedience. Gratitude Over Demands: The passage shifts the perspective from demanding more to recognizing the gifts already received. Faith as a Process: True faith grows and deepens through continuous engagement in faithful action and reflection. The Responsorial Psalm is Psalm 95: "O that today you would listen to his voice! Harden not your hearts."