In today’s Gospel, when Jesus’ apostles asked Him, “Increase our faith,” it sounded like such a sincere request — and it was. Mind you, that wasn’t a request by non-believers, or in our present era, atheists and the godless — to have faith — because they are faithless. In this present era, we are the apostles — we Catholics who go to Mass, follow the teachings of the Church, and strive to live with devotion.
My Reflection
1. Many of us ask God to increase our faith despite being faithful Catholics, because of the evil times in the world we live in. In this world, immorality, worldliness, materialism, inordinate pleasures and sensuality, and living without morals and values — like in Sodom and Gomorrah — are often rewarded with money, recognition, admiration, and social status.
2. Despite being faithful, we get disheartened. We ask why God allows all this evil. We grow tired of it all and long to hear comforting and assuring words from God — words that say He’s in control, that despite all the evil, He’s on our side, that He loves us, and that He will save us from all the darkness we endure.
3. Even the apostles, who walked with Jesus and saw Him face-to-face, asked Him to increase their faith.
4. But our Lord’s response to the apostles was not what most of us would expect. Instead of promising to increase it or offering a comforting reassurance, He tells them two things: first, that faith the size of a mustard seed can uproot a tree; and second, a parable about a servant who does what is expected and says:
“Is he grateful to that servant because he did what was commanded? So should it be with you. When you have done all you have been commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.’” (Luke 17:9–10, New American Bible, Revised Edition)
5. At first, these words seemed unrelated — or even harsh and cruel. After all, the apostles asked for faith, and Jesus replied by saying they must serve the Master without thanks, as if that were their only duty.
6. Yet this response was not harsh or cruel at all. It was profoundly loving and truthful. The Lord wasn’t rejecting their request; Jesus was teaching that faith didn’t grow through emotion, reward, or reassurance, but through surrender — through quiet fidelity and perseverance in love.
7. Jesus didn’t say, “Yes, here’s more faith.” Instead, He turns our attention to duty, to quiet service, to doing what is right even when there is no thanks, no applause. Why?
Because that is faith.
8. We often think faith is a strong, passionate feeling. That it should be something powerful and dramatic — something to boast of when we say we have the Catholic Faith.
9. But faith is not a feeling. It is obedience in silence. It is perseverance in darkness. To obey God even when He seems silent — that’s faith. To keep praying when nothing seems to happen. To remain faithful in our vocation, in our responsibilities, in our Catholic life even when it feels small or unrecognized.
10. That is mustard seed faith. It may not look powerful on the outside, but in Heaven’s eyes, it is moving mountains.
11. This is where the “unprofitable servant” part comes in. Jesus is telling us: we don’t need the same materialistic rewards that the hedonistic world insists prove our worth. We cannot measure God’s saving power by watching the wicked prosper and the good struggle (cf. Psalm 73, NABRE). We cannot measure God’s love by worldly success or comfort, simply because we believe we are the “good” and others are the “bad.”
12. In the first place, it is our obligation to have faith in His plan of salvation. It is our duty and our privilege to be part of God’s family. Just as we feel joy when we serve a meal we lovingly prepared for our family, even without compliments, so too is it our joy, our calling, and our dignity to serve God — not out of fear or desire for reward, but because we love our Father and we are His children.
13. Being part of this family means we don’t take out the trash or close the windows at night because we expect praise. We do it because we live there. Because it’s our place. Our home. We are part of it.
14. And now, the question arises: how can we say that we are His family and children — when God calls us unprofitable servants? Isn’t that confusing?
15. It might feel confusing and illogical — even contradictory — but here’s the truth:
God calls us both His servants and His children. And somehow, in the mystery of faith, both are true at the same time. It’s not a contradiction — it’s a divine paradox that doesn’t confuse, but invites us to trust and understand more fully, as grace allows.
16. Being a servant of God means recognizing that we owe Him everything. Our existence, our breath, our salvation — all are pure gifts. As servants, we live in humility, not entitlement. We don’t “earn” Heaven. We live out our faith because it is right and just.
17. But being His child means that through Baptism, we are adopted into His family (Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:7). We serve not out of fear, but out of love — the love of sons and daughters who know they belong to the Father. The Unprofitable Servant isn’t unloved; he’s simply aware that he doesn’t make God richer by doing his duty. Yet, because he’s a son or she’s a daughter, God treasures even the smallest acts done with love.
18. It’s like when a child picks a wildflower and hands it to his or her parent. The flower may be small and ordinary, but the love in the gesture gives it priceless worth.
19. We are servants then — because humility and obedience are our response to God’s greatness. But we are also His children — because grace has made us heirs, not slaves.
20. The logic isn’t worldly. It’s heavenly. And faith is what helps us live inside that paradox with trust.
21. We are His children. And when we serve without expecting to be repaid, we show deep, real faith — the kind that pleases God far more than loud declarations.
22. So if we are tired, if we feel unseen, if we spiritual life feels dry — but we still choose not to sin, still go to Mass, still live as a practicing Catholic, still say your prayers even if your heart feels numb — that is the faith the apostles asked for.
23. And Jesus tells you and me: ‘You are not an unprofitable servant in My eyes. You are My faithful one. Stay where you are. I am watching. And I am pleased.’
Conclusion
24. The atheists, the godless, the anti-Catholics and anti-Christians — may seem to be gaining the world outside. And due to God’s providence, some of what they possess comes from His grace, while other things are merely allowed by Him — for even their breath and existence depend on His will. Yet they often misuse and waste these graces, turning the gifts or permissions of God into occasions of vanity, pride, and sin, using what was meant for good to destroy themselves.
“Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.” (Matthew 6:2, NABRE)
25. But they are not the children of God. They are creatures of God who have likened themselves to mere beasts, wandering outside the Master’s home — like predators lurking in the wild forest surrounding His estate, drawing souls away into evil.
26. They cannot bring to the next life their ill-gotten wealth or the pleasures they indulged in.
27. But you and I — at the end of the day — we live inside the Master’s home. We belong to His household. We are not nomads nor do we feed on what the world throws to beasts. We dwell where His love governs, where His angels guard, where His Sacraments nourish, and where His eyes never look away.
28. We may not be honored, admired, or followed by thousands or millions of people, but we are loved. We may not be thanked like those most powerful and publicly regarded people, but the Master knows us by name.
29. And we, the children of God, live not on wasted grace, but on sanctifying grace — the grace that transforms our hidden labor and suffering into eternal merit. What the world calls small, Heaven counts as precious. As Jesus said,
“Your Father who sees in secret will repay you.” (Matthew 6:4, NABRE)
Every unseen act of fidelity is grace received, grace kept, and grace returned to God in love.
30. And someday, when our hidden service is complete and the trials of this life have passed, we will not stand before the Master to claim a reward — yet in His mercy, He will give what He Himself has promised. In Heaven, the “servant” who is faithful is welcomed as a son or daughter to share in the Master’s joy. Then we will hear, not as the world’s servants seeking praise, but as His faithful servants filled with hope:
“Well done, good and faithful servant. Come, share your Master’s joy.” (Matthew 25:23, NABRE)
Our Lady of Guadalupe, cover us with your mantle of love and protection.
Saint Peter the Apostle, pray for us!
Saint Paul the Apostle, pray for us!
Saint John the Baptist, pray for us!
Saint Lucy of Syracuse, pray for us!
Saint Joseph the Worker, pray for us!
Mama Mary, pray for us!
Amen.
She graduated cum laude from the University of Santo Tomas, the country's Pontifical and Catholic university, with an AB in Legal Management and minor units in Theology.
As an unmarried woman, prayer holds a central place in her daily life, with a focus on the Rosary and the Divine Office. Embodying her faith, she emphasizes the growth of her inner spiritual life, guided by the wisdom of Carmelite spirituality.
God manifested to her in a unique and radical manner, which made her know Who He truly is and led her to total surrender of her life to Him.
She has studied the Bible with her family, developing a particular fondness for the Old Testament.
Her adorable and intelligent toy poodle is a delightful companion in her daily life, bringing warmth and joy to her home.
Her hobbies include reading about everything, learning Japanese and German, listening to music and playing the flute.
In her leisure time, she enjoys gaming on PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch OLED, Nintendo 3DS, iOS and OS, and collecting things related to PlayStation and Nintendo.
Email: [email protected]
Like 'The Best Catholic' on Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheBestCatholic
- My Reflection on the Final Apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe to Saint Juan Diego - December 11, 2025
- Why the Rosary is the “Weapon”: My Reflection on Our Lady of the Rosary and the Battle of Lepanto - October 7, 2025
- Mustard Seed Faith: The Unprofitable Servant - October 5, 2025
Powerful ! May we remain the faithful servants we are called to be.