“Lord increase our faith”, asked the apostles. And today? We too, so often appeal to our Lord, “Increase my belief, my faith in God on high, Jesus”.

Strangely enough, the question may be asked, “Why do I want faith?” More importantly, do I really understand the full implications or consequences of having that faith, for which I earnestly ask or seek?”

Is it to have power to make impossible things happen in my life or in the lives of others?
Why do I seek to constantly deepen my faith?

Is it not sufficient to know that God can do everything: that through, and in Jesus, it can and is done?

According to the Oxford Concise English dictionary, “belief” refers to an acceptance that something exists, or is true, especially one without proof. “Belief in” refers to faith, to complete trust or confidence.

Our faith is an act of leaning on, or surrendering to, the strength of God. Abraham stands as a perfect model for the faith we ought to have, as St Paul reminds us in his letter to the Romans 4:20-25, “Since God had made him a promise, Abraham refused either to deny it or even to doubt it, but drew strength from faith and gave glory to God, convinced that God had power to do what he had promised.” St Paul stated further, that this faith was “considered as justifying him”.

As we turn to God asking for a greater measure of faith, we need also to pray for the grace and ability to exercise that for which we ask.

If we seek this grace then, we are surely on our way to not only simply possessing faith but living and exercising real faith in God - enabled now to move the many mulberry trees in our lives that are obstacles on our journey back to God.

But is it an increase in faith we need or, like Thomas the apostle, the belief that God can really do what He says, what he has promised. The ability to believe, the ability to wait on Him is part and parcel of exercising faith. 

Peter walked on water, but when he started to fear he sank. Our problem as with those who asked for an increase in faith is that we doubt before we even start on our journey.  We question – is it possible, can it happen?

We doubt our importance in God’s sight, whether he would really listen to us. We have to remove the doubts, the fears, which plague our minds, which hinder us from exercising faith.

Faith is also the way by which the power of God takes root and opens up in us so he might do great things in us and in the world. We, however, can curb the wonder-working power of God by unbelief.

In the Gospels we read of Jesus’ visit to his hometown where “he was not able to perform any mighty deed”, not because he had lost his almighty power but because of the “lack of faith” (Mark 6: 5). Jesus is able to act in our lives when we – from within our own weakness, but with confidence – surrender our lives to him.   

Heavenly Father, as we contemplate your real presence in our lives, we pray for your continual grace, ever seeking to be close to you, in deepening our belief and faith. 

Lord, grant us peace in our day and your saving grace, through the power of your Holy Spirit, Amen.

Gospel Meditations for the month of October are by Richard Gomez, a teacher at Sacred Heart Boys’ and a lay minister of the Cathedral/Sacred Heart parish.