A Faith Like Dat

It became a simple phrase and prayer I say to myself whenever I notice a beautiful example of faith that stirs a deeper desire in me. It started when I paused on a verse at Mass. I had said it countless times, but one day it struck me to truly pay attention and ponder it. 

This verse, 'Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof but only say the word and my soul shall be healed,' embodies what I call 'a faith like dat' – a profound, unshakeable trust in God's power and love.

That is the power of faith just say the word. I remember thinking: I want a faith like that – all the time! A big faith. A faith that rises automatically…without doubt creeping in.  

In Matthew 8, it is the centurion who believes that Jesus can heal his servant with just a word. He asked and trusted in Jesus’ word alone. What a beautiful humility and faith, that we too activate when we say it in Mass, especially when we say it with intention. 

The apostles longed and expressed it in a short prayer to Jesus in Luke 17: “Lord, increase our faith.”

Jesus replied:

“If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.” 

Yes, a faith like that! God will take our mustard seed faith, the smallest amount of faith, and grow it. He isn’t asking for more, but to have faith – the size of a mustard seed and bring it to him. That’s where the increase happens – our little faith magnifies in relationship with Jesus. Just imagine what he can do if we simply bring it to him, nurturing the gift of our faith with him and in his word.

Where in your life do you need something uprooted? What’s holding you back from offering your mustard seed faith to the Father so he can help you trust him?

Maybe God has been speaking, but it’s not what you wanted to hear – or not how you expected it. That’s true for me, too. Sometimes, I think, I have faith; I know it in my head, but God has placed the desire deep-rooted in my heart. He helps it grow like the roots of a mustard seed, which are taproots that go deep into the soil.  

If I want a faith like that always, I need to use my little faith, trust his word, and move into the action he calls me to. That’s where faith continues to grow – like that seed, planted deep in the sea of his graces. It is through him that our faith multiplies like the smaller roots branching off the taproot of the seed.  

Is it time to let go of worldly things that keep us from deepening our relationship? Simply be more with him. The more we can let go of the places where we tend to be self-reliant rather than God-reliant, the more we can build trust in him and offer him my little mustard seed faith.    

God, you want to take me further on my path and help me let go of the old thoughts, emotions and behaviors where I do not allow you to move in my life.  You work so much more when I allow the Holy Spirit to move and pour your grace in my life. Help us see the opportunities in our everyday lives, where you invite us to water our little mustard seed faith, so that it is like the centurion's.  

Thank you, Jesus, for reminding us of what you are capable of doing. With our little mustard seed faith, you help us grow in the possible and lead the way. Our desire, trust and faith in you are all gifts. Help us nourish them in your Holy Word and Sacraments, and in our NOLA lingo, we pray, Lord, help us to all have a faith like dat!