The apostles’ words to Jesus, “Increase our faith,” seem the most natural in the world. Everyone who believes wants greater faith, right? In another way, however, their request might make you think, “Increase? What more did you need? You had the Lord in the flesh teaching and healing with authority right in front of you for three years.”

Exactly once on Pro-Life Sunday have I heard a homily on capital punishment. It was bold, deeply Catholic, and memorable, and I thanked the presider afterwards for his courage.

The apostles came up and said to the Master, “Give us more faith.” But the Master said, “You don’t need more faith. There is no ‘more’ or ‘less’ in faith.

The young couple told me a story. It was their first child. The baby cried every night, leaving them both exhausted. The husband woke up with his wife and watched her as she got up to walk and feed the baby. Then he would roll over and go back to sleep.

Brothers and sisters, let us acknowledge our sins, and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries.

Faith is the art of holding on to things in spite of your changing moods and circumstances.