The answer to the request: "Increase our faith!" (Lk 17: 5) is "be humble." Jesus tells his disciples: "So you also, when you have done all that you were ordered to do, say, 'We are worthless slaves, we have done only what we were asked to do'." (Lk 17: 10) This is reinforced in the First Reading which admonishes us: "Look at the proud! Their spirit is not right in them, but the righteous live by their faith." (Hab 2: 4) Pride is toxic to faith. The Evil One is described by Job in this way: "It (Leviathan) surveys everything that is lofty; it is king over all that are proud." (Job 41: 54) On the other hand, those who trust in God are raised up. Our Lady in the Magnificat proclaims: "... for he has looked on the lowliness of his servant,,, for the Mighty One has done great things for me... he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts, he has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly." (Lk 1: 48, 51-52.) Despite all of the achievements of human beings in science and technology we are all subject to God's ultimate judgment and grace: "O the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! 'For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor? ' 'Or who has given him a gift to receive a gift in return?'" (Rm 11: 33-35) Let us therefore seek to humble ourselves in the presence of God and pray with trusting hearts at Mass today.
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