Is More Better?

The 19th Sunday After Pentecost (Proper 22C) Oct. 7, 2007

BCP: Hab. 1:1-6 (7-11) 12-13; 2:1-4; Psalm 37:1-18 or 37:3-10; 2 Tim. 1:(1-5) 6-14; Luke 17:5-10

RCL: Lam. 1:1-6; Lam. 3:19-26 or Psalm 137; Hab. 1:1-4, 2:1-4; Psalm 37:1-10; 2 Tim. 1:1-14; Luke 17:5-10

The apostles say to Jesus, “Increase our faith.” They seem to think that more is better. Just like most of us think. More is better, whether it is money or people in church or stained glass windows or cars or square footage (as in larger church buildings). So why not think the same way about faith? If I had more faith, I could do more.

And indeed what would you say to a friend who asked, “Please increase my faith.” Faith is different from belief. Faith is a relationship with another, as in “I have faith in you.” One cannot give faith to another. Jesus understands the situation and replies: “If you had faith [as big] as a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this sycamine tree, ‘Be rooted up and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you” (Luke 17:6).

A mustard seed is really quite small. Tiny. Anyone reading this column by definition has that much faith. Your faith is at least as large as a mustard seed, perhaps larger. So get with it; put your faith to work. No more excuses. Jesus encourages his apostles (and us) to use the faith they (and we) have. Be not paralyzed by your self-created (and indeed delusional) obstacle of not having enough faith.

Recently released letters written by Mother Teresa, who is known around the world for her work in the slums of Calcutta, bear witness to this truth. Though she was filled with questions and doubt, this did not deter her from doing phenomenal work as a Christian.

There is a fascinating example of Jesus’ teaching in the Old Testament reading. Proclaiming God’s word in the latter part of the 7th century BCE, Habakkuk wrote: “... the righteous shall live by his faith” (2:4). This sentence rephrased by St. Paul became the theme for the Epistle to the Romans: “He who through faith is righteous shall live” (Rom. 1:17). Some 2,200 years after Habakkuk died, his words, reworked by St. Paul, sparked the Protestant Reformation. That’s what it looks like when one’s faith goes to work.

The gospel readings for the next three Sundays also address issues related to faith. For the reader (or preacher) inclined to link these passages together, they can form a single teaching on faith in four parts. The themes in coming weeks will be: Faith and Healing. Faith and Prayer. Faith and Pride.

Look It Up

The teaching of Habakkuk and St. Paul (see above) will also be found in

Galatians 3:11 and Philippians 3:9. Also see Hebrews 10:38.

Think About It

Buy a package of mustard seeds at your local health food store. Try to give only one seed to a family member or friend. Is your faith as big as that mustard seed?

Next Sunday

BCP: Ruth 1:(1-7)8-19a; Psalm 113; 2 Tim. 2:(3-7)8-15; Luke 17:11-19

RCL: Jer. 29:1, 4-7; Psalm 66:1-12 or 2 Kings 5:1-3, 7-15c; Psalm 111; 2 Tim. 2:8-15; Luke 17:11-19