Increase Our Faith

 

Lk 17:1-6

Sin, Faith, Duty

17 Jesus said to his disciples: “Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come. 2 It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble. 3 So watch yourselves.

“If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. 4 Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.”

5 The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!”

6 He replied, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.'"

Faith is not only a state of the mind but a living behavior which not only affects our own life, but has huge implications on how we deal with one another. It sets us on the path of giving good example,  of forgiveness and of doing wonders beyond our greatest expectations.  We remember St. Martin of Tours on this Veterans Day, himself a soldier and later a bishop who lived simply, cared immensely for the poor, and gives us an example of putting others before ourselves. As we honor our Veterans today, let us be inspired by their willingness to sacrifice their lives and wounded bodies and spirits for our nation, for us, and do what we can to serve our country and one another. 

Dear God, St Martin's life demonstrates that we best serve you by serving one another. Help us follow in his footsteps. Amen.