The World of Grandpa Don

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Faith ...  How to Expand It.

We have a tendency to wait for God to give us faith or to want God (or something) to increase the little we have. We are expecting something dramatic, a blinding flash of light, an unmistakable sign that will fill us with faith and understanding. Many of us run off to distant places looking for signs and miracles. We would like to have the faith that some seem to have, but it doesn't happen. It probably will never happen! If that is so, how do others get it?

Let's use a modern parable. Joe has had a job at a very good company. His ambition is to advance and make lots of money. However, his superiors expect too much of him. They ask him to do things that "are not his job". If they paid him more, he would do more. So he just does his job and wonders why promotions pass him by.

Joan  works for the same company and has similar ambitions. When Joan sees something that needs to be done, she tells her superior that she will take care of it, and does. Her job is limited only by her abilities. She constantly expands her value to the company and is rewarded for it.

Faith is similar. Many claim to have faith. But if we do nothing with it, it doesn't grow. Even Jesus' disciples asked Him to "... increase our faith." His response was to tell them that they had to work at it. They could not just do their assigned task and expect to be rewarded. ... So, the message is to take the faith we have, use it in prayer and service to others, stretch and expand it. Only we can increase our faith! 

Inspired Luke 17:5-10 and
Fr Tony's homily of 10/7/01

Also see my article for ...
The Third Sunday of Advent, 2000

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