27th Sunday in Ordinary Time [C]
October 2, 2022
Luke 17:5-10

Jesus says if we have faith as big as mustard seed, we will be able to command a mulberry tree to be uprooted and be replanted in the sea. What does it really mean? When fully grown, mulberry tree is a huge plant with sturdy trunk and limbs, as well as a spreading and deep roots. To uproot is extremely difficult, if not impossible. Yet, Jesus’ words are not only uprooting the tree, but replanting it, not in other fertile soil, but at the ocean! Thus, simply put, to have faith, even a small one, enable us to do the impossible. What are the impossible things that now become possible because of faith?

Nowadays, there is a growing trend to understand faith as an immediate problem solver. Thus, to have to faith means that we will be healed from our grave illness and our problems will be immediately solved. To have faith means we are going to pass our financial crisis. Then, the logic is that if we are still sick or struggling with the same problems, we are lacking faith, or even have no faith all together.

I remember a story of a sick man who sought help of a religious leader. The leader prophesied that the man would be healed of his illness in the following week. Yet, after one week passed, the expected healing did not come. Then, the man complained to the leader that he remained sick. The leader immediately countered, “you lack faith! Have more faith, and you will be healed!”

This kind concept of faith is incomplete and even dangerous. Faith is heavily equated with personal desire and emotional conviction. The greater the conviction we feel and exert, the greater the faith, and the greater the faith, the greater the possibility we get what we want. This is dangerous in several ways. Firstly, this kind of faith is now about us, humans, and what we desire, and not about God and His plan for us. Secondly, this kind of faith makes us proud when we get what we want, but we blame ourselves if we do not achieve it. Too much blaming either makes us depressed or abandon God altogether. Thirdly, for some irresponsible ‘religious leaders’, this kind of faith may become a tool of manipulation and means to increase richness and popularity.

Though emotional conviction is important part of faith, but true faith goes beyond that. Faith includes intellectual quest for the Truth. Faith is also commitment to do God’s will and laws. Faith also means to trust in God’s presence in times we do not emotionally encounter Him. Faith allows us to believe in God’s providence even though we are struggling with various problems.

Going back to our initial question: What are the impossible things that now become possible because of faith? Indeed, God often does miracles of healing in our lives, yet God’s plan for us is even greater: spiritual healing from sins. Truly, Jesus can calm the storms, yet His mission is “to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many [Mar 10:45].” Yes, God can bring back dead people to life, but God’s real will is that we resurrect into eternal life.

Roma
Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP