SUNDAY REFLECTIONS | 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time
By Social Communications Ministry
Published on October 5, 2025
The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.” The Lord replied, “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. Who among you would say to your servant who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, ‘Come here immediately and take your place at table’? Would he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare something for me to eat. Put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink. You may eat and drink when I am finished’? Is he grateful to that servant because he did what was commanded? So should it be with you. When you have done all you have been commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.’”
In today’s Gospel, the apostles ask Jesus for something we often long for ourselves: “Increase our faith.” It is a humble and honest request. They recognize that faith is not something they can create by effort alone—it must be deepened by grace. Jesus responds in a surprising way. He tells them that even faith as small as a mustard seed can do what seems impossible. In other words, it is not the size of our faith that matters, but the presence of it. A little genuine faith, rooted in trust, can move mountains—or in this case, uproot trees and plant them in the sea.
Jesus reminds us that faith is powerful not because of us, but because of the One we place our trust in. Too often we think we need to be strong, perfect, or certain for our faith to “work.” But Jesus is saying the opposite: faith begins when we rely on God, even in our weakness. True faith is not measured by how much we know, but by how much we trust.
Then Jesus adds another teaching that at first seems unrelated but is deeply connected. He speaks about servants doing their duty without expecting praise or reward. This shows us what living faith looks like—it is humble, obedient, and steady. Faith is not about impressing God with great acts, but about faithfully doing what He asks of us each day. It is serving with love, even when no one notices.
This Gospel reminds us that faith grows through humble service. Every small act of obedience—every prayer, every kindness, every sacrifice done out of love—nourishes the mustard seed of faith within us. The more we serve God without seeking recognition, the more our hearts become like His.
Today, Jesus invites us to trust more deeply and serve more quietly. When life feels difficult, when faith feels small, He whispers: “Even that is enough. Trust Me.” What matters is not how strong we feel, but how willing we are to remain faithful.
Let us ask ourselves: Do I trust God even when I cannot see the outcome? Do I serve with humility, or do I look for reward and recognition? Am I content to be God’s servant, doing what is right simply because I love Him?
