. . . As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord . . . Joshua 25:15b
Vonaesch, Corinne, La graine de moutarde, http://c-vonaesch.ch/galerie/content/la-graine-de-moutarde/
Published date 10/2/2025
Editor's note: During the season of Pentecost, churches that use the Revised Common Lectionary have two options. One, often called "semicontinuous" or "Track 1", provides more detail about the Old Testament stories. The other, called "complementary" or "Track 2", more closely marries the Old Testament lesson to the gospel reading.
The parable for this week references the “mustard seed faith”, but this is Luke’s version [Matthew and Mark expand on the concept]. In Luke’s version, Jesus continues His teaching by reminding us that we have a charge to behave in a specific way—and it is what we are supposed to do. From “Lessons that work” (a product of the national church), “Each of us . . . has clear duties to perform. Jesus points out that it is not a big deal to simply do our duty. Our choice is whether we grumble and whine or whether we do our work with gratitude and in faith.” We profess our belief so what does that mean we can (and should) accomplish? And doesn’t Jesus also suggest that, when we do what being a believer commands that we do, then we have done nothing more than what is expected of us? What is expected of you, child of the Light?
Post your thoughts.
The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” The Lord replied, “If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, `Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.
“Who among you would say to your slave who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, `Come here at once and take your place at the table’? Would you not rather say to him, `Prepare supper for me, put on your apron and serve me while I eat and drink; later you may eat and drink’? Do you thank the slave for doing what was commanded? 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 ought to have done!'”
From sermon4kids.com: “Jesus was not suggesting that you and I go around trying to move trees just to prove that we have faith. What Jesus was trying to teach his disciples—and what he wants you and me to learn—is that it doesn’t take a great faith to produce great results. Why? Because the results don’t depend on us, they depend on God.”
Scripture: October 5, 2025 (Proper 22, Year C)—Lamentations 1:1-6 (image); Lamentations 3:19-26 (image) OR Psalm 137 (image); Habakkuk 1:1-4, 2:1-4 (image); Psalm 37:1-10 (image); 2 Timothy 1:1-14 (image); and Luke 17:5-10 (image). Also The Fifth Sunday of Creation. Creation theme: Bless.
Additional Creation Reading: A Reading of “Seeds of life and hope” from Ladder to the Light, Steven Charleston
The Rt. Rev. Steven Charleston (b. 1949) is a Native American elder, a citizen of the Choctaw Nation, an author, and a retired bishop in the Episcopal Church. He is widely recognized as a leading proponent for justice issues and for spiritual renewal in the church in both the United States and Canada. Among other roles, he has served as the national staff officer for Native American ministries, the Bishop of Alaska, and the Dean of the Episcopal Divinity School.
I have a small vision to share, one that came to me through the night walks we call dreams. In my dream, I saw a shadowy figure standing high on a darkened hill, throwing seeds into the wind. Once the seeds left the figure’s hand, they turned to tiny points of light and were carried away into the sky. That’s all I remember, but it is enough. You and I stand on a windswept moment in history. All around is us is a gathering darkness. But we are not afraid because we have seeds of life and hope in our pockets. Our task is to cast them as far and wide as we can. The breath of the Spirit will do the rest.
Additional Creation Reading: A Reading from Red: Passion and Patience in the Desert, Terry Tempest Williams
Terry Tempest Williams (b. 1955) is an American writer, educator, conservationist, and activist. Williams' writing is rooted in the American West and her work focuses on social and environmental justice ranging from issues of ecology and the protection of public lands and wildness to exploring humanity's relationship to culture and nature. She is working with the Planetary Health Alliance and the Center for the Study of World Religions in establishing The Constellation Project, where the sciences and spirituality are conjoined.
The eyes of the future are looking back at us and they are praying for us to see beyond our own time. They are kneeling with hands clasped that we might act with restraint, that we might leave room for the life that is destined to come. To protect what is wild is to protect what is gentle. Perhaps the wilderness we fear is the pause between our own heartbeats, the silent space that says we live only by grace. Wilderness lives by this same grace. Wild mercy is in our hands.
Collect: Almighty and everlasting God, you are always more ready to hear than we to pray, and to give more than we either desire or deserve: Pour upon us the abundance of your mercy, forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid, and giving us those good things for which we are not worthy to ask, except through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ our Savior; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Creation Collect: All-loving and everliving God, you are always more ready to give than we are to receive: Pour upon us your abundance of contentment with simple, faithful living; through Jesus Christ the Wisdom of Creation, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.
Reflection:
Track 1: In Luke 17:5–10, the disciples ask Jesus to increase their faith. By asking this, they acknowledge that faith does not grow by our own works and hard efforts but is a gift from God’s grace. How has the gift of faith in your own life changed over time? Was there a particular time when your faith weakened? Can you recall a time when the strength of your faith helped you endure? God often uses special people in our lives to help us grow in faith and understanding. Who has helped you grow in faith?
Track 2: What is faith?
A visual/audio journey.
Images enhancing 
the scripture
“Parable of the Mustard Seed” Jan Luyken etching from the Boyer Bible
“Parable of the Mustard Seed” by Melanie Palmer
“Parable of the Mustard Seed“, stained glass, anonymous
Music founded 
in the scripture
“Give me the wings of faith“, poem by Isaac Watts set to music
“Come, labor on” sung by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir (lovely to hear the mellow sound of seemingly hundreds of men to start)
“The mustard seed“, instrumental from the soundtrack of “Mary Magdalene” movie
Other voices 
about the scripture
“Every day acts of faith ” by David Lose
“Doing Faith” by Debie Thomas
a page of poems about mustard seed faith
Movies representing some part of the scripture
“The Cider House Rules” (1999, PG-13), “spiritual practice of self-esteem”, "blessed are the pure in heart”, spiritual practice of self esteem, Review
“The Messenger: The story of Joan of Arc” (1999, R), “unusual French interpretation . . . [sees] Joan of Arc . . . as a radical zealot like John Brown” [one of the editor’s all time favorites], Review
"Three thousand years of longing" (2022, R), story of romance between a professor and a djinn, Selflessness, Review; Pew review
“Finding Nemo” (2003, G), “youthful independence”, Review
For families: Study guide & activities (former guide), group activity; snack, kid video
For children: See family guide/activities (another activity); bulletin; word shape
For middlers: See family guide/activities (another activity; bulletin; multiple choice
Coloring: 2 Timothy; God hears my prayers; Lamentations
For youth: Often, it's easy to lack confidence. Plus there are so many things going on, pulling us in this direction or that. It's difficult to see how we, as an individual, can make a difference. But Jesus helps us to understand that we do nothing on our own. We are always—always—supported by God. And we know there is nothing God cannot do. So let's be confident that "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Your thoughts.
Today’s liturgy focuses on faith. In the gospel reading, the disciples ask Jesus to increase their faith. His response is to teach that faith is expressed by being God’s obedient servants, and not doing so in expectation of a reward.
Track 1: The prophet Jeremiah lived to see the destruction of Jerusalem. Unknown writers composed this series of laments for the desolate city which tradition ascribed to Jeremiah. Regardless of authorship, the lamentations have moved Jewish and Christian believers alike with their poetry and image of God forgotten by the people and the people grieving their loss.
Track 2: The prophet Habakkuk, writing at a time when powerful enemies threatened the very existence of Israel, also speaks of faith. After describing the terrible power of their foes, he brings a message from God that the day is coming when God will intervene on the people’s behalf. The prophet says that, while the proud will be destroyed, the righteous will live by their faith.
The second reading is from the second letter to Timothy. The writer, after reminding Timothy of his heritage of a faithful family, speaks of his own vocation. Paul as a herald, apostle, and teacher has persevered, certain that God will be faithful to the promise to all people.
We gather as people on pilgrimage toward God. Like our forebears, the outcome of our journey cannot be seen now, but we trust that it will bring us to our true home with God. Faith is not merely a vague yearning for God, nor is it summed up in believing the correct doctrines about God. It is remaining true to God’s call as we persevere in the journey as obedient servants.