St. Matthew Catholic Church

Weekly Message     

41. Increasing Faith - By Living It

Dear brothers and sisters,   

      Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen. It is a gift from God to us. We don’t increase or grow it on our own; it is our response of trusting in God’s grace when being rooted in Jesus and His Word. [cover picture]

     The Apostles asked Jesus to increase their faith. Does Jesus do it or we do it? We let His grace work in our lives. “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree/mountain, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea, it would obey you”. Nothing will be impossible for you.” [Mt. 17:20 & Lk.17:5] Really? Yes.

     Faith is God’s gift, but it deepens as we respond. Like roots in fertile soil, faith grows deeper when we listen to God’s Word and let it shape our hearts. It grows stronger through daily prayer and the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, where Christ nourishes us. It rises higher when faith expresses itself in works of love, lifting us closer to heaven. Trials, too, refine our faith, purifying it like gold in fire, while community keeps it alive and supported. Above all, faith flourishes when our eyes remain fixed on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.

     A woman was showing a massive piece of family silver that she took from the cupboard and said, “Dreadfully tarnished; I can’t keep it bright unless I use it”. That is just as true of faith as it is of silver. Tucked away to the Sunday closet of soul, and only brought our for show, it needs apology. You can’t keep faith bright and shining unless you use it. Thus, growing in faith is a lifelong journey in our Christian life.

     Remember, if you don’t use it, you lose it. May you be rooted in Christ and His Word to increase your faith.

Prayers and Blessings!

Msgr. Xavier Pappu
                                      Insert:  Giving to God/Dar a Dios.pdf

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