Faith the size of a mustard seed

Photo by Jane Winstead

Jesus said if you have faith the size of a mustard seed you can move mountains, Father Tim told parishioners Sunday. The gospel was from Luke 17:5-10. The apostles asked the Lord to increase their faith so that they would have the strength to follow God's Word. He had told his disciples that although sin would occur to be sure they were not the cause of someone sinning. He also told them to rebuke the sins of their brothers but to forgive if they repent, and to continue to forgive as long as they continue to repent. The apostles did not believe they had the strength to obey. "Increase our faith," they said.

Luke 17

6 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."

7 "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'?

8 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'?

9 Is he grateful to that servant because he did what was commanded?

10 So should it be with you. When you have done all you have been commanded, say, 'We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.'"