Reflection on the Gospel Reading on 3 October 2010 (Sunday)

Lk 17:5-10


All I need is ‘faith the size of a mustard seed’ for ‘this mulberry tree’ to ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.’ It may seem impossible according to logic. But, when is Love ever logical? If it is logical, I would have confined His Love within my limited capacity of my human mind. I have to keep on reminding myself that God’s way may not be comprehended by my mind. That is why I have to learn to surrender myself with ‘faith the size of a mustard seed’, trusting that God will use me creatively to share His Love with the others. Sometimes, I may be called forth to do things that are not of the worldly values such as forgiving people who have wronged me ‘seventy seven times’ instead of an eye for an eye approach where never ending wars continue to persist between both parties which may lead to death. When things do not go my way, I often get frustrated such as why I cannot get into university that I really want to get in or job which I desire so much. I have to realize that my way is not God’s way. I may think I know what is the best for myself when actually the One who created me knows me through and through, even the ‘number of hairs on me’.

I have to learn to have ‘faith the size of a mustard seed’ so that the Holy Spirit in me will guide me in my behaviour, words and approach towards others. At times, I may think I know what is the best for my children or friends or loved ones and I may impose what I wish or want on them. However, I may be wrong even with good intention as I am just imposing those values or ideas on them at the wrong time, wrong intensity, wrong place or they should not have been imposed upon them at all, leading to bitterness, conflicts and hurts in the end. If I still insist on them, I am imposing my will on them. I am playing God when it may not even be God’s way at all. Only God knows what should be done in the right place at the right time with the right intensity and right approach for He is Love who knows us through and through. He will know how to draw us closer in Love. When I have ‘faith the size of a mustard seed’, my focus is set right on Him and I learn to surrender myself to Him slowly for Him to be involved in everything that I do in my daily living through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Only, then I will experience the fruits of the Holy Spirit with the others which are parts of Love.

Well, I can be adamant in getting things right with my own principles and wanting things my way, hurting others without compassion at times. But, I must realize that the world is not about me, me, me and me. I must learn to increase my faith so that I will learn to let go and let God bit by bit by spending more time with God through many channels such as active participation in the Eucharistic celebration, regular confession through Sacrament of Reconciliation, prayer meetings with the others, regular meditation and reflection on His Word, quiet time set aside before the Blessed Sacrament, etc. for God to tenderize my hardened heart with His Love and for me to build stronger relationship with God so that I will be more sensitive and receptive to the Holy Spirit.

With Love,
Elena