27th Sunday of Ordinary Times – Faith and Attitude of Servant (Lk 17:5-10)

Introduction

- The story of physically handicapped boy. He came to the school on the first day of the school year. As an orientation and to boost the confidence of the children, the teacher told the children to share their strengths and positive qualities that they have with their class mates. One of them told “I am a good singer and I am practicing under a great singer also”. Another told that he is a karate student and practicing under a great karate practioner. Many students told their strengths in different fields. Now it was the chance of the physically handicapped boy who was affected by polio in his earlier years and was walking with the help of walking stick. He said “I am the son of God. My father provides me everything I need. I am so strong with my Father”.

- Faith is the conviction that “I am the son of God and with Him everything is possible”.

Content

- Let us see the stages of faith

1. Knowing “Faith”

o In every human being there is a spiritual hunger that should be quenched. It is because we are also spiritual being.

o We study from our parents the basic lessons of Faith, by observing and imitating them. From them and our elders we knew what faith is.

2. Having “Faith”

o Story from the life history of Isaac Newton - One time an atheist friend of Isaac Newton came over and saw his scale model of the solar system that Newton had. He remarked at how beautiful it was and asked who made it. Newton nonchalantly replied that no one did; it just made itself. The atheist asked again, got the same answer, and started to get angry. Newton replied, “if you cannot believe something as simple as this model cannot make itself, how can you believe the universe made themselves?”

o No faith does not mean that there is a lack of knowledge, rather there is a lack of Grace of God. He/she is closed to the spring of Grace as if a class is put upside down and pouring water.

3. Living “Faith”

o In this stage we stand for the faith and live in Christ. Here nothing is impossible for us since we move in the post powerful God. The miracles and healing happen with the intercession of these people.

o At this stage what should be our mentality? It is clear from the second part of the gospel. It should be like the servant who says I just did what I was ought to do.

o It is similar to Nishkamakarma of Sanskrit – Do your duty without expecting anything in return. We do everything with the expectation of getting something in return. Even people love thinking that they will get other’s love.

Conclusion

- We often struck in the second state. We pray with faith but it does not resemble in our daily lives. The lack of faith is clear from our over worries and tensions in our daily lives.

Let us pray “deliver us Lord from every unnecessary worries and anxieties”, because we are with the Most Powerful God.