Homily on Luke 17:5–10 : Lord increase our faith ( 5-10-25)

A homily on Luke 17:5–10 reminding us that true faith waits patiently for God’s perfect timing, just as Abraham, David, Martha, and Mary did. (5-10-25)

Praise be to Jesus Christ

Once, someone gave a special seed to a little boy and he planted the seed with utmost care in the ground. Every morning he went to check if the plant had come out. On the first day, he saw nothing and it was same on the second day, there was nothing. By the third day, he could not control himself and he thought that the seed was not a good seed and he grew impatient and began to dig the soil to see if the seed was alive. His father stopped him and said, “My child, you cannot pull the seed out every day. It has its own time. If you trust and wait, you will see the plant.” The boy slowly learned that growth happens in silence, and it takes patience to see the fruit.

The disciples in today’s Gospel come to Jesus with a short but beautiful prayer: “Lord, increase our faith.” I believe this is one of the finest prayers in the whole Gospel. They did not ask for power or wealth. They asked for faith, because they knew that only faith would help them face trials, carry the cross, and follow the Lord with courage.

How much we need this prayer in our times. The older generation lived with a faith that knew how to wait. They trusted in God even when answers did not come quickly. They prayed novenas, walked on pilgrimages, and accepted silence as part of their prayer. Today, we live in the world of internet. We send a message to someone in America and in seconds we receive a reply. That speed has entered our hearts. We want instant results even from God. Morning we pray, evening we expect an answer. If nothing happens, we lose hope. But God does not work according to our timetable. His ways are higher, and His time is always perfect.

Think of Abraham. God promised him a son, yet he had to wait until his old age to see the promise fulfilled. Year after year he trusted. His waiting faith gave birth not only to Isaac but to the entire people of God. Think also of David. Anointed as king when still a boy, he had to wait many years, often in danger, before he sat on the throne. Both Abraham and David show us that real faith is patient faith.

The Gospel of John gives us another powerful example in the story of Lazarus. Martha and Mary sent word to Jesus when their brother was sick. They believed He could heal. But Jesus delayed His coming. By the time He arrived, Lazarus had been dead four days. Humanly speaking, it was too late. If Jesus had come earlier, it would have been a healing. But by waiting, He gave them something far greater. He raised Lazarus from the tomb and showed that He is the Resurrection and the Life. Martha and Mary had faith even in their grief. They said, “Lord, if you had been here…” Their patience, though full of tears, prepared them for a miracle greater than what they first asked for.

This is our lesson. Faith is not magic. Faith is not instant. Faith is trust in God’s time. In our families we may pray for peace, for a child who has gone astray, or for healing from sickness. In our religious life we may pray for joy in our vocation, for vocations in our communities, or for renewal in our mission. Sometimes nothing seems to change. But that is the moment to pray like the apostles: “Lord, increase our faith.”

Dear friends, let us not get tired of waiting. God is never late. His timing is always perfect. He may not answer in our speed, but He answers in His wisdom. So let us take the apostles’ prayer on our lips every day. When life feels slow, when our prayers feel unanswered, when hope seems far away, whisper this prayer with faith: “Lord, increase our faith.”

Lord Jesus, increase our faith. Amen