Faith That Serves Humbly

Faith That Serves Humbly

Reflection on Luke 17:5-10

In today’s Gospel from Luke 17:5-10, we hear the Apostles say to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” It’s a beautiful and honest plea—one that many of us find ourselves echoing during times of doubt, suffering, or when we feel spiritually weak. In response, Jesus says something both encouraging and challenging: “If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.”

At first glance, this might sound like Jesus is scolding the disciples for lacking faith. But look closer—Jesus is teaching that even the smallest amount of genuine faith can accomplish great things. He’s not focusing on the quantity of faith, but the authenticity and trust behind it.

A mustard seed is tiny, yet it grows into a large plant. In the same way, our faith might start small, but when rooted in trust in God, it has tremendous power. We don’t need perfect faith. We need real faith—faith that leads us to say “yes” to God, again and again, even when we don’t have all the answers or feel particularly strong.

But the Gospel doesn’t stop there. Jesus goes on to tell a short parable about a servant who, after working in the field all day, comes in and continues serving his master at table. The message here can feel jarring. Jesus says: “So you also, when you have done all that you were ordered to do, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have done only what we ought to have done!’”

Why does Jesus pair this story with a teaching on faith?

Because faith is not only about believing—it’s about living. It expresses itself in humble service. The disciples ask for more faith, and Jesus reminds them that true faith leads to obedience, humility, and service without expecting reward or recognition.

In our culture today, we often look for praise. We like to be noticed, thanked, or rewarded when we do something good. But Jesus invites us into a deeper kind of discipleship—one where we serve out of love, not for applause. The servant in the parable doesn’t complain or ask for special treatment. He simply fulfills his role. Likewise, our lives of faith are meant to be lives of generous, humble service.

This is especially meaningful for us as Roman Catholics. We are part of a Church that believes in faith expressed through works. We pray, we go to Mass, we serve the poor, we love our neighbor—all not to earn God’s love, but because we have already received it.

So, when we feel weak in faith, let’s ask the Lord to strengthen it—not by making us feel powerful or important, but by helping us become faithful servants, grounded in humility and love. Let’s be content to do “only what we ought to have done,” knowing that God sees even the smallest acts of service and blesses them beyond what we can imagine.

Key Takeaway:
Even a small amount of sincere faith can do great things when expressed in humble, faithful service to God and others.

Closing Prayer:
Lord Jesus,
Increase our faith—not so we can be great in the eyes of the world, but so we can be faithful in the small tasks of daily life. Teach us to serve with humility, to love without seeking reward, and to trust in Your grace even when we feel weak. May our lives reflect Your goodness, and may we always remember that we are Your servants, loved and called by name.
Amen.