Dear Friend,
The Gospel this Sunday (Luke 17:5-10) started with the disciples requesting Jesus to increase their faith. Every one of us also wants to have more faith in God. Let us therefore learn how Jesus responded to the request of His disciples.
Read it first and clarify to your family the different points in the reply of Jesus.
First, Jesus related that if one has faith at least as big as a mustard seed, he/she can say to a tree to uproot and plant itself to the sea and it will obey. Apparently, their faith was not as big as a mustard seed. Neither is ours.
In connection with increasing one’s faith, take note of what Jesus related next to His disciples. He asked them if they have a servant coming from a place of work, what would they say to him?
Relate to the family what Jesus would say to the servant.
Then, repeat to the family the conclusion of Jesus:
"So you also. When you have done all that you have been told to do, you must say:
' We are no more than servants; we have only done our duty.' "
The disciples learned that they are no more than servants whose duty is to forgo personal needs (to eat and drink) but follow the Lord first. That is having faith in the Lord to take care of them. Their following the Lord would show their faith in Him.
The disciples would later go and make disciples of all nations without purse or bag or sandals. They had faith in the Lord.
Prayer and Reflection ~
Faith in the Lord shall grow in us if we know and do our duties as His servants.
Reflect on what your duties to the Lord are and then share with your family.
Recall what Jesus said "whenever you did this for one of the least important of these brothers of mine, you did it for me!" (Matthew 25:40)
Discuss how each one may perform one’s duty to the least important of the Lord’s brothers (faith in action).
Joe & Charito
THE CATHOLIC ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA'S
ONLINE RESOURCE FOR FAMILY MINISTRIES
www.simbahayan.org
servants@simbahayan.org
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