Parable of the mustard seed
5th October 2025: 27th Sunday of the Year (Cycle C)
Parishioner’s Gospel
Contributor: Caroline Grainger
Luke 17:5-10
This Gospel, at first sight, is puzzling. The disciples ask Jesus to increase their faith - an understandable request - how nice and comfortable they must have thought it would be to never have any doubts. Maybe they thought Jesus would give them a piece of wisdom to fall back on when they were troubled or show them another miracle.
Instead he says, almost dismissively, that if their faith was even as big as a mustard seed they could tell a tree to get up and plant itself in the sea. He then asks if a master would thank a servant for doing his job. The implied answer is of course 'no'.
What he seems to be saying is that a small amount of faith can accomplish great things but also not to worry about it. He instructs the disciples to carry on doing their duty without expecting extra rewards.
Even when we have doubts therefore, we should just carry on, doing the right thing, loving God through loving our neighbour without expecting supernatural displays of acknowledgement. Doing our duty has to be enough for us.
Disappointing perhaps but on balance it's probably just as well we can't prove our holiness by moving trees around, it would be very tempting to show off.
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12th October 2025: 28th Sunday of the Year (Cycle C)
Parishioner’s Gospel
Luke 17: 11-19
In today’s Gospel, ten men with leprosy cry out to Jesus for mercy. Their plea is simple but full of faith: “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” And Jesus, in His compassion, answers them and sends them to the priests, and on the way, all of them are healed but only one returns to thank Him.
Jesus responds not only by acknowledging his gratitude but by offering something even greater than physical healing: “Rise and go; your faith has saved you.”
This tells us that God desires more than just responding to our requests. He longs for relationship, for hearts that recognize His grace and return in deeper and meaningful gratitude.
Many of us find it easy to call out to God in our need. But how often do we stop to thank Him when the blessing comes? Do we recognize His hand in answered prayers, in healing, in the ordinary blessings we encounter we go about of daily life?
The Samaritan received a second, deeper healing. His faith and gratitude opened him to salvation.
May we, too, be like the one who turned to God not only to ask, but to thank and worship.
