Scripture Scribbles: October 5, 2025

the Gospel

Luke 17:5-10

The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith."
The Lord replied,
"If you have faith the size of a mustard seed,
you would say to this mulberry tree,
'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it would obey you.

"Who among you would say to your servant
who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field,
'Come here immediately and take your place at table'?
Would he not rather say to him,
'Prepare something for me to eat.
Put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink.
You may eat and drink when I am finished'?
Is he grateful to that servant because he did what was commanded?
So should it be with you.
When you have done all you have been commanded,
say, 'We are unprofitable servants;
we have done what we were obliged to do.'"

the scribble

Yes, I would love to have a faith that commands an obedient mulberry tree to be “uprooted and planted in the sea,” a faith that accomplishes the seemingly impossible: softening a hardened heart, converting wayward children, restoring damaged relationships, mending broken hearts, healing deep wounds. A faith that conquers all fear. How do I increase my faith?

Faith means not only believing that God exists and that everything He has revealed through Scripture, Tradition, and the Church is true, but also living according to these truths. Fr. Mike Schmitz teaches that faith in Jesus is inseparable from obedience: living this life for the next, becoming His disciple by striving to obey Him in all things. It is not perfection, but a sincere effort to “do whatever He tells you” (John 2:5).

If I want this faith in Jesus, then I must do what He asks: love God above all, sacrificially love others, die to myself, take up my cross and follow Him, live the Beatitudes, and surrender obediently to His will in everything at all times and in all circumstances.

Faith also requires stepping into the unknown with confidence in God’s presence and guidance. It means trusting Him fully, believing the truths we profess in the Nicene Creed, holding fast to the teachings of the Church, and persevering in obedience. This is the faith that moves mulberry trees and so much more. For “with God, all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). In this faith, I intend to live and die.

Today’s devotion was written by Karen Molvar