FORGIVENESS AND FAITH

Luke 17:1-6

We move on to chapter 17 of Luke and today we have three separate lessons from Jesus which explain the existence of two forces at work in our lives: the power of temptation to sin and the power of faith to overcome obstacles and sin. Looking at the power of temptation to sin, Jesus give the first lesson as a warning. He warns us to avoid causing scandal or scandalizing the little ones. To cause scandal means to make people trip and fall; it means to drive away the person from the right path; to be for others the cause to draw away from God and make them lose their faith in God. Jesus is emphatic that leading other people to stumble or fall in their walk with him, is a grave offense.

Considering the second force, which is the power of faith to overcome sin, Jesus shows his disciples the importance of forgiveness and faith. We should know that forgiveness is one of the themes on which Jesus insists the most. The grace to be able to forgive and to reconcile among ourselves and with God is very important for us to live our Christian life. It seems that the question of the apostles is rooted on this lesson about forgiveness.  By the order of Jesus to forgive up to seven, in one day, the apostles asked: increase our faith. It is not easy to forgive. It is only with great faith in God that it is possible to reach the point of having such a great love that it makes it possible for us to forgive up to seven times, in one day, the brother or sister who sins against us.

Humanly speaking, in the eyes of the world, to forgive in this way is foolish, but for us Christians this attitude is the expression of the divine wisdom which forgives us infinitely much more.  And this is only possible if we have faith. When the apostles said: “Increase our faith,” Jesus did not say, “Oh yes, I will make your faith big.” Rather he said, “Were your faith the size of a mustard said you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.” Faith is total surrender and total trust in God. Faith is the key for removing obstacles and difficulties which keep us from doing God’s will. We are his servants, and he is ever ready to work through us and in us for his glory. May the Lord increase our faith.