Lord, increase my faith! The apostles recognize that they need Divine help more than human strength. If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you might say to this mulberry tree, be thou rooted up, and be thou transplanted into the sea: and it would obey you. “What moves us to believe is not the fact that revealed truths appear as true and intelligible in the light of our natural reason: we believe, “because of the authority of God himself who reveals them, who can neither deceive nor be deceived, (CCC 156).”

It explains that faith is not measured by quantity but rather by quality. Even the smallest authentic faith, true reliance on God, has limitless power because its strength comes not from us, but from God Himself. Miracles, forgiveness, and endurance in discipleship flow from trusting in God’s action, not in our own. Human faith should not rely on what it receives coming from God, but rather, faith should and must stay even in
bad times; it is called true faith with full trust. “Faith is certain. It is more certain than all human knowledge because it is founded on the very word of God who cannot lie, (CCC 157)”.

Jesus shifts from faith to the role of a servant. In the culture of His time, a servant did not expect thanks for doing his duty. His work was simply what was required. Jesus tells the apostles that when they have done what God commands, their attitude should not be prideful (“Look at what I have achieved”), but humble: “We are unprofitable servants; we have only done what we ought to do.” Discipleship is not about earning merit or recognition. Every act of obedience, ministry, or sacrifice is already our response to God’s grace, not a favor we are doing for Him.

“Jesus tells us that the measure of faith is service.” He emphasized that faith doesn’t lead to self-assertion but to humble availability to serve, without expectation of praise or reward. –Pope Francis.

—Sir Vincent

SEED OF FAITH

When I hear the apostles asking Jesus, “Increase our faith,” I feel like they are voicing the same longing in my own heart. There are moments when my faith feels so small—fragile against the weight of worries, doubts, and unanswered prayers. I sometimes think that if I only had more faith, I could be stronger and steadier. Yet Jesus tells me that even faith as small as a mustard seed can do the impossible. This makes me pause and ask: maybe it is not about the amount of faith I have, but about whom I place that faith in.

A mustard seed is tiny, almost unnoticeable, but it carries life within it. My faith may be small, but if it is rooted in God, it carries divine strength. I realize that God is not asking me to perform miracles on my own—He is simply asking me to trust Him enough to let His power work through me.

Then the second part of the Gospel hits me even deeper. Jesus speaks about the servant who does what is expected without waiting for praise. This challenges me because, if I am honest, I sometimes want God to notice my efforts, to reward my sacrifices, or to assure me that I am doing well. But Jesus reminds me that serving Him is not about recognition—it is about love and humility. My service does not make me special or entitled; it simply makes me His servant, responding to the One who has loved me first.

This passage calls me to live with two virtues:

  • Trust, to believe that even my smallest faith, surrendered to God, can move what feels immovable in my life.
  • Humility, to serve without expecting anything in return, knowing that everything I do is only my rightful response to His endless mercy and grace.

In the end, I see that faith is less about asking for “more” and more about surrendering all that I already am — my little mustard seed—to the God who can make it grow beyond my imagination. —Leng

PRAYER TO START THE WEEK

Lord, sometimes I feel my faith is too weak to face life’s problems. But You said even a mustard seed of faith can do wonders. Help me to believe that You are with me in everything. Teach me to take small but steady steps of trust in You each day. Amen.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

Personal:
When I think about my faith, do I feel it’s “small like a mustard seed” or strong and growing? Why?

Practical:
What is a simple way I can serve others without expecting anything back?