I often have conversations with folks about faith and doubt, so often people express a sense of shame or embarrassment at what they perceive as “a lack of faith”. And yet in today’s Gospel Jesus tells us that even faith the size of a mustard seed is sufficient! That leaves all kinds of room for doubt…but Jesus focuses on the power of that “tiny faith” and the reality that with even a little faith great things can happen!
My takeaway from this Gospel is that while we all have doubts, just like the apostles, the faith we do have is sufficient to do what we have been called to do! In and through the power of the Holy Spirit, that lives within each one of us, we can indeed respond to the Gospel way of life, building up the Reign of God through working for justice and building peace in the world. In this moment in our nation that we find ourselves we need more than ever to rely on our faith that God is present with us, in the suffering of our sisters and brothers and gives us the strength we need to respond to their suffering. What are my doubts and where is my faith strong? What actions will I take this week to live out my discipleship, to build up the Reign of God?
God’s Blessings,
Fr. Tim