Faith Expresses Itself in Action
Rev. Gus Carter 10/3/04
The Readings which relate to this sermon are at this link.

Whenever I think of faith, I recall a football coach with whom I once worked. He would describe certain players as "believers." What he meant was that when he told them how to block or tackle or catch the ball, they would follow his instructions exactly. They had confidence in what the coach said and they complied with enthusiasm to his instructions. Jesus challenges us with his message which we continue to proclaim. Faithful people hear, they respond, by taking Jesus' words, Jesus' instructions, to heart. They shape their lives more and more according to Jesus' teachings.

Faith for Christians is personal knowledge of God in Christ that comes to us through a community of faith. This knowledge connects us directly to the Lord. Because of the majesty of God, the infinity of God, we could never truly believe without the Lord's help. Therefore, faith is always a gift. This gift brings knowledge and trust that make it possible for us to relate directly to our Creator. Maintaining a proper relationship with God prepares us for a life shared eternally with the Lord. Because this goal is beyond human achievement, we depend on God's power to relate to God and to each other in ways that open us to our destiny. We must treasure our faith for it allows us to approach the marvelous possibilities of a life lived with and in God in our present time.

The saying about uprooting sycamore trees should not be taken literally. It is a metaphor for the limitless possibilities of a life lived with deep faith. By opening our lives to God, Jesus is saying, we can accomplish amazing things spiritually. Faith opens us to the power of God. It is the grace of God that empowers the life of discipleship. It is not we who accomplish exceptional things but the grace of Christ within us. St. Paul prayed, "Through faith I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection." Jesus resurrection united his humanity to God. In Jesus every human receives God-like power to do good.

At times I have been surprised by individuals' fears of becoming ministers of the Eucharist, of the Word, of the sick. Various persons have told me of how accepting what they felt was an invitation from the Lord to minister in the Church has changed their lives. Eucharistic ministers have told me that they arrived at a more profound appreciation of the sacrament. They never dreamed of experiencing such closeness to God. Especially visiting sick some individuals became aware in a new way of how the Lord comes to us through others. Not too long ago a woman told me about the changes in her life that resulted from her becoming a lector. Her love of scripture has grown. She has found a new ease in speaking of the things of God.

When we ask for more faith, we should examine ourselves on how we may be blocking opportunities to express our faith, to grow in faith. The whole section of Luke we have been reading in recent weeks warns against materialism. Do our goals of physical prosperity blind us to our potential for service? Deepening our faith means saturating our minds and hearts with the words and actions of Jesus. Does our need for entertainment, our need for distractions, our overcommitment to business prevent us from spending time meditating on Scriptures, from absorbing God's word?

We all want satisfying lives. Jesus brings the message of how our Creator plans to make us happy through our cooperation. Jesus shows us how service enhances the lives of others and gives substance to our way of living. Our problem is that we do not trust the words of Jesus. At some level we are afraid to live them. We experience the mirage of temporary pleasure that leaves us feeling empty. We are seduced by the false promises of quick success. We sense, sometimes profoundly that we are following the wrong path. Where are we to turn?

Jesus said, "Ask and you,shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened to you." The favorite prayer of many deeply spiritual people is, "I believe, Lord, help my unbelief." Everyone here has the stirrings of faith. We must join the disciples in the constant prayer to increase our faith. Lord help me to trust the words of Jesus and to act upon them. Give me that faith that astounds even my own expectations. Let your power in the world be unleashed through me because I trust in you.