27th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Fr. Jerry M. Orbos once told a story about one of those “Walk with God” pilgrimages he did on foot to Manaoag, Pangasinan every first Saturday in May and October. He saw among the walking pilgrims a couple carrying a frail and really tiny baby grasping for breath. Faith, simple and pure, was written on the face of the father as he asked him to bless the child. The priest learned that the hospital had given up on the child and told them to take the child home, but instead they had joined the 3 ½ hour walk to Manaoag. Orbos’ friend Sonny Sison told him that the child was healed. That was some six years ago, and the parents continued to join the walk every May and October, with the child walking with them.

This story tells us about how faith works. There will be miracles for a man who has faith. But how does faith really work? In the Gospel of Luke 17: 5-10, the apostles said to Jesus to increase their faith. But Jesus did not directly answer them, rather he told them that even with a small faith, miracles may happen to a person who believes in God. But what is equally important is that faith leads one to listen and obey God. Even if the person with faith cannot see miracles, it is important that he listens and obeys the will of God whatever that means. Jesus had these words at the end, “So you also, when you have done all that is commanded you, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’” Therefore, faith is not only good when people see miracles, but also when people yield to the will of God.