Just what makes that little ole ant think he’ll move a rubber tree plant; anyone knows an ant can’t move a rubber tree plant.
But he’s got high hopes, he’s got high hopes, he’s got high apple pie in the sky hopes.
This uplifting tune was written for the great Frank Sinatra and it speaks to having huge faith to overcome challenges and obstacles.
All of us have been inspired by others, who like that little ole ant, relied on high hopes, faith or just confidence; confidence in others and self confidence to achieve great things. We have the examples of the saints through the centuries who, despite great odds, achieved great things motivated by faith.
As people of faith, do we have high hopes? Do we rely on our faith to move mountains, to uproot mulberry trees to move our own rubber tree plants?
As Jesus continues his long journey back to Jerusalem we find him constantly teaching by the use of parables. Today, we are given a few short verses from the beginning of the 17th chapter of Luke. We find ourselves at verse 5 with the direct request of the Apostles to Jesus: “increase our faith”. This seems like a reasonable request. And we now know that Jesus answers them with the example of the mustard seed and a servant. But it may be important to take a quick look at what transpired just a few short verses before this Gospel. Jesus was teaching about forgiveness. He clearly spells out that even if someone sins against us seven times in a day; we are called to forgive him seven times. In another place in Scripture Jesus says forgive 7 X 70 times. Now are we to believe Jesus is saying forgive 7 times or even 490 times; nope? We are to forgive, period. And this was challenging to the Apostles; yes, even the Apostles. So this leads to the request: “increase our faith”.
In giving His response it is if Jesus is telling them, thereby telling all of us, increase your faith yourself. It’s not quite that easy. What Jesus is saying to them and us is with God, we have all we need. God has planted the seed of faith in us. It is us who must freely choose to put faith into action and demonstrate that increase the Apostles so firmly asked for. A mustard seed is tiny; remarkably tiny. Yet the description of this tiniest seed is all Jesus says we need. And putting that faith into action allows God’s power in our lives to take hold and to shine through for others to witness.
And what about the story of the servant; it is another lesson about humility. Jesus is telling us that all we have and all we are come from the Father. No matter how hard we work, no matter how much we accomplish, it is when we realize that our very existence and ability to achieve things is pure gift from God. That is why Jesus says in this Gospel, we are merely servants; we have done our duty.
Jesus talked about faith moving a mountain and uprooting a mulberry tree. That little ole ant moved a rubber tree plant. Inspired by this Gospel passage and strengthened by the Eucharist we soon will receive, what mountains shall we move, what mulberry tree shall we uproot, what rubber tree plant will we move? The Gospel challenges us to confront our obstacles head on, this week. Do we need reconciliation? Do we need to forgive someone, this week? Do we need to put our faith into action and volunteer for a parish ministry? This week, here in our parish, we will have 23 young people “increase their faith” as they present themselves for the Sacrament of Confirmation. Can we, as a faith community and these young people’s brothers and sisters, be united with them in prayer this week; especially Thursday night when they receive the sacrament?
In the week ahead may we move our mountains and uproot our mulberry trees and move our rubber tree plants.
So any time you’re getting low, instead of letting go, just remember that ant. Oops there goes another rubber tree plant!
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