Increase Our Faith

Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Occasions for stumbling are bound to come, but woe to anyone by whom they come! It would be better for you if a millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea than for you to cause one of these little ones to stumble. Be on your guard! If another disciple sins, you must rebuke the offender, and if there is repentance, you must forgive. And if the same person sins against you seven times a day, and turns back to you seven times and says, “I repent”, you must forgive.’ The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith!’ The Lord replied, ‘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. ‘Who among you would say to your slave who has just come in from ploughing or tending sheep in the field, “Come here at once and take your place at the table”? Would you not rather say to him, “Prepare supper for me, put on your apron and serve me while I eat and drink; later you may eat and drink”? Do you thank the slave for doing what was commanded? So you also, when you have done all that you were ordered to do, say, “We are worthless slaves; we have done only what we ought to have done!” ’ Luke 17:1-10

There is an ancient mulberry tree on the grounds of Canterbury Cathedral. During the Lambeth Conference last summer, we would often sit under the tree to have our lunch or await a ride back to our dorm room. I thought about this passage from Luke often when sitting there. If we had faith the size of a tiny mustard seed, we could demand this huge tree move itself and it would. The trunk of this tree is massive, and the branches reach out to cover a wide swath of ground and several benches in the shade. I would not ask this ancient tree to move itself, yet in following Jesus, we are given faith and power from the Holy Spirit. May we deepen our faith as we live as servants of a loving and forgiving God.

Wondrous Creator, you provide summer's shade

and shelter in the deep cold of our winters

knowing our daily needs and hope filled dreams

you call us to follow your way of loving service.

We attempt to do everything on our own

and come crying to you when we fail often

yet you forgive us, time and time again

and set us back on our feet as we follow you.

Help us to day to live as loving servants

always listening and seeking your direction

increase our faith daily so we might serve you

and share your love with this aching world. Amen.