Guest Post by: David Tonaszuck

A Reflection on the Gospel of Luke 17:5-10

Brothers and sisters in Christ,

Today, as we gather as one community of faith, we pause to give thanks and praise and glory to our LORD God—for his love that never runs out, for his grace that meets us right where we are. We thank our Father in heaven for the greatest gift: his only begotten Son, Jesus. Through Jesus—his Word made flesh—God’s love isn’t just an idea. It’s something we can receive, hold onto, let grow inside us, and share with the world by the power of the Holy Spirit.

As we pray today, let’s become aware of Jesus’ true presence among us. He’s here—in our prayer, in the Mass, in the sacraments (especially the Eucharist), and in the loving hearts of those around us. When we sit quietly and listen with a prayerful ear, we can hear Jesus whispering into our hearts: “My son, my daughter, I love you so very much and am always with you. Come and follow me, and together our hearts shall be one; one with our Father in heaven and the Holy Spirit.” To follow Jesus is to say yes to our Father’s will, by walking the same path he walked: trusting the Father, serving others, and embracing humility as children of God.

Small Faith, Big God: Trust, Humility, and the Quiet Power of Obedience

In today’s Gospel from Luke, the apostles ask Jesus, “Increase our faith!” Maybe you’ve felt like them—overwhelmed, wondering if you’ll ever measure up, maybe even doubting. Jesus answers with what seems like an impossible image: “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.” He’s not talking about magic tricks or superpowers. He’s saying that real faith, even if it’s tiny, is powerful—because it’s not about how much spiritual energy you can work up, but about trusting God. Even a little genuine trust is enough, because God does the heavy lifting.