“The Little Seed of Faith” Reflection Oct 2 2022
SCRIPTURES:
2 Timothy 1:1-14
Luke 17:5-10
SCRIPTURE SUMMARY: Paul and Jesus teach their disciples to bolster their faith so they will carry out Christ’s mission.
REFLECTION/SERMON:
In a cold prison, likely in Rome, the apostle Paul is sitting on the ground, in chains, dictating a letter to his assistant, a friend who visits and offers him food – it is toward the end of Paul’s life, he has been travelling for many years in Asia Minor, and has finally reached Rome where he always wanted to teach, only to be imprisoned for the last time – he knows the end is near.
His young friend Timothy is far away, eagerly awaiting this letter, to find out how Paul is doing, is he still alive? Is he dead? Timothy is losing hope. He’s frightened because he too may be imprisoned soon – the Christian movement is gaining ground, BUT persecution is rampant. The Jesus movement keeps challenging the establishment’s oppressive ways, and those in power are getting angry and violent, plotting to kill Jesus’s followers. Timothy has been beaten a few times too, and now fears imprisonment like his teacher, Paul.
Paul must muster all his strength to give his young friend hope so he will continue in the mission. To remind him of the faith he received in “Christ Jesus” – the one who started this movement, whom Timothy has never seen or heard. Paul saw the spirit of Jesus on the road to Damascus, as a blazing light, and he still hears Jesus giving him instructions, to not be afraid. To go forward no matter what the cost. Jesus promised Paul eternal life. He must trust in God, and now Paul looks forward to seeing Jesus again after his earthly trials are over.
Jesus can certainly sympathize with Paul. He too walked the lonely roads, trying to reassure his friends to have faith, even though times would be difficult, and they would be persecuted, and many would even face death – yet he promised them life eternal. His disciples saw him healing the sick and raising the dead. Surely Jesus is powerful enough to overcome death, but what if we die too? Their faith is waning, and fear is taking over.
Both Paul and Jesus must give their listeners a strong message. Don’t be afraid. Be strong. Remember your faith. Stop worrying about your earthly trials.
That’s easy to say, but not easy to hear or do.
Jesus’s gospel challenges us, too. Through Paul’s letter to Timothy, and in Luke’s gospel today, the message is clear:
Have a little faith! A little faith is enough.
Follow Christ and don’t be afraid.
Rely on the gifts God has already given you.
Go forward without fear and Carry out the mission!
I love how Paul tells Timothy to “Stir up his faith.” He’s saying, you already have faith – God gave it to you through Christ and his teachings, through me Paul who has lived and is now dying by that faith – and even by your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice – he calls them by name which is so powerful and personal – to remember the faith of our ancestors who instilled it in us from childhood.
Jesus is saying in his parable – Have a little faith! You don’t need more faith. He says, if you had the faith of a mustard seed – you could say to that mulberry tree GO OVER THERE! – (POINT TO TREE) – MOVE! And it would move and be thrown into the sea. In a different version Jesus says, you can move MOUNTAINS!
We might wonder, how can a little faith be enough? Why not more?
Both Paul and Jesus explain. Paul says, God’s grace gives you what you need. And Christ Jesus – who is now a spirit – the same one that appeared to him on the road to Damascus, is with you. How could you doubt?
But the truth is, we do doubt. And we do lose our faith from time to time.
Let me offer an example.
Back in 2001 I was working at a large company,
My husband and I were about to do a major renovation to our small cottage/ house because we were expanding our family.
Then without warning, my husband lost his job. And then the World Trade Centres came down, and the world was in chaos. THAT SAME WEEK, a young and talented member of my team DIED during an elective surgery. A FEW DAYS LATER, Steve’s mother DIED without warning. It was a major catastrophe for the world, and our family.
The only good news was, I found out I was pregnant shortly after that with my second child. When she was born nine months later, I LOST MY JOB AS WELL while returning from maternity leave!!
Now we were both unemployed, with a new baby, and young child, and a house we couldn’t afford.
During this time, I was praying a lot. Although I felt anxious and afraid, I had a little faith because I always believed Jesus was with me, that God and his angels would protect us and guide us. I didn’t know HOW, but I desperately hoped and believed it was possible.
Like Timothy and the disciples, I saw the worst things happening around me. But something in me got STIRRED UP – my faith and gifts kept me GOING FORWARD.
Within months of losing my job, opportunities started coming. I got into the film industry, landing my first agent, at a time when few were getting work as the recession hit in 2003. THEN, just before we ran out of money, my husband was offered a new contract, which provided for us for many years to come. Our prayers were answered.
We faced more challenges than I can count. But each time I prayed; a solution would come. Jesus never failed me.
I know I didn’t make all this happen myself. Sure I had talents and gifts. So does everyone. But God put them in me.
I also give credit to my family who sowed seeds of faith in me, and often had faith for me. When I was weak, they were strong – like Paul, like Jesus. Sometimes we need good teachers, family members and friends to remind us of our faith, to put our trust in God.
So, I learned and became a teacher of Christ’s messages: Have a little faith (in me)! Trust in God. Go forward with a little faith – it’s enough!
I can imagine Timothy receiving Paul’s letter after many weeks and months of waiting. He must have been so excited, overjoyed to hold it in his trembling hands. His friend was still alive! Even though Paul was struggling in prison, Timothy could hear Paul’s faith SO STRONG, so POWERFUL, like a laser beam pointing him in the right direction. He felt the power of Christ shoot through his very bones and limbs. Timothy felt, I CAN DO THIS TOO! I have faith, and I have a faithful family. My little bit of faith is enough., God is with me. I can now sleep at night because my teacher prays for me, and I know I will see Jesus, too, someday.
STIR UP YOUR FAITH WITH ACTION!
I hope you feel the hope in this message today, and that it STIRS UP your faith. Now I will challenge you, as Paul and Jesus did. Take your little seed of faith and plant it in the ground. I mean, do something with it. Stir up your faith by taking some action.
For example, you could:
- Pray, and expect good things to happen, even if it’s not what you expected.
- Pray for someone else who is struggling, or share a positive story with them to bolster their faith
- Do 1 small thing that makes you nervous.
- Trust in God.
- Step forward with a little bit of faith, and love.
BLESSING: May God Bless and Keep you
May Christ’s Light Shine Upon you and through you this week! Amen.
We hope to see you at church next Sunday to celebrate Thanksgiving!