The Word: "Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you." (see Matthew 17:14-20)
Mystery of the day: Joyful
Celebration of the day: St. Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr
(3rd century). A Roman deacon, he died four days after Pope Sixtus II, during the persecution of Valerian. Arrested by the prefect and called on to deliver up the property of the Church, his answer was to point to a crowd of poor people. "Here are the true treasures of the Church", he said. He was roasted to death on a gridiron.
Table of the Word: I R.: Habakkuk 1:12-2:4
Resp. Psalm: Psalm 9:8-9.10-11.12-13 (R. 11b)
Verse before the Gospel: 2 Timothy 1:10
Gospel: Matthew 17:14-20
Inspiration: "Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you." (Matthew 17:20)
This is an extract from the last part of today's gospel pericope with its parallel in Luke 17:6. Here our Lord emphasized the power of faith, even if it's as small as a mustard seed. The idea is that with genuine faith, one can accomplish extraordinary things, like moving mountains.
By implication our Lord meant that with little faith one can make great accomplishments. It can overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles and finally with faith, nothing is impossible.
However, the image of the mustard seed used here represents a small amount of faith, but one that can grow and have a profound impact. This teaching encourages believers to have confidence in their faith, even when it seems small or insignificant.
It is also a call for dependency on God who is "all-in-all" whose power and sovereignty is beyond human intellect. Prophet Habakkuk in the first reading reechoes His might by saying: "Are you not from everlasting, O LORD my God, my Holy One? We shall not die." (Habakkuk 1:12)
We therefore need to hold on to him in faith and trust. Recalling the words of Mother Mary Charles Walker "After considering what He did in the past I have no fear for the future." He is ever faithful and loving. The Psalmist on the other hand attest to this in its response this morning: "You will not forsake those who seek you, O Lord." (Psalm 9:11b). Today, we have also seen the interplay of this virtue in the life and time of St. Lawrence whose feast we celebrate today.
Finally, let us trust in God's power, and tackle challenges with confidence, knowing that with faith, all things are possible. Peace be with you!
Let us pray
O God, giver of that ardour of love for you by which Saint Lawrence was outstandingly faithful in service and glorious in martyrdom, grant that we may love what he loved and put into practice what he taught. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen
© The ARCHIVE 10082024
No comments:
Post a Comment