Memorial of Saint Martin of Tours, Bishop
Lectionary: 491
Lectionary: 491
Love justice, you
who judge the earth;
think of the Lord in goodness,
and seek him in integrity of heart;
Because he is found by those who test him not,
and he manifests himself to those who do not disbelieve him.
For perverse counsels separate a man from God,
and his power, put to the proof, rebukes the foolhardy;
Because into a soul that plots evil, wisdom enters not,
nor dwells she in a body under debt of sin.
For the holy Spirit of discipline flees deceit
and withdraws from senseless counsels;
and when injustice occurs it is rebuked.
For wisdom is a kindly spirit,
yet she acquits not the blasphemer of his guilty lips;
Because God is the witness of his inmost self
and the sure observer of his heart
and the listener to his tongue.
For the Spirit of the Lord fills the world,
is all-embracing, and knows what man says.
think of the Lord in goodness,
and seek him in integrity of heart;
Because he is found by those who test him not,
and he manifests himself to those who do not disbelieve him.
For perverse counsels separate a man from God,
and his power, put to the proof, rebukes the foolhardy;
Because into a soul that plots evil, wisdom enters not,
nor dwells she in a body under debt of sin.
For the holy Spirit of discipline flees deceit
and withdraws from senseless counsels;
and when injustice occurs it is rebuked.
For wisdom is a kindly spirit,
yet she acquits not the blasphemer of his guilty lips;
Because God is the witness of his inmost self
and the sure observer of his heart
and the listener to his tongue.
For the Spirit of the Lord fills the world,
is all-embracing, and knows what man says.
Responsorial PsalmPS 139:1B-3, 4-6, 7-8, 9-10
R. (24b) Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.
O LORD, you have probed me and you know me;
you know when I sit and when I stand;
you understand my thoughts from afar.
My journeys and my rest you scrutinize,
with all my ways you are familiar.
R. Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.
Even before a word is on my tongue,
behold, O LORD, you know the whole of it.
Behind me and before, you hem me in
and rest your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
too lofty for me to attain.
R. Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.
Where can I go from your spirit?
From your presence where can I flee?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I sink to the nether world, you are present there.
R. Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.
If I take the wings of the dawn,
if I settle at the farthest limits of the sea,
Even there your hand shall guide me,
and your right hand hold me fast.
R. Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.
O LORD, you have probed me and you know me;
you know when I sit and when I stand;
you understand my thoughts from afar.
My journeys and my rest you scrutinize,
with all my ways you are familiar.
R. Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.
Even before a word is on my tongue,
behold, O LORD, you know the whole of it.
Behind me and before, you hem me in
and rest your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
too lofty for me to attain.
R. Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.
Where can I go from your spirit?
From your presence where can I flee?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I sink to the nether world, you are present there.
R. Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.
If I take the wings of the dawn,
if I settle at the farthest limits of the sea,
Even there your hand shall guide me,
and your right hand hold me fast.
R. Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.
GospelLK 17:1-6
Jesus said to his
disciples,
“Things that cause sin will inevitably occur,
but woe to the one through whom they occur.
It would be better for him if a millstone were put around his neck
and he be thrown into the sea
than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin.
Be on your guard!
If your brother sins, rebuke him;
and if he repents, forgive him.
And if he wrongs you seven times in one day
and returns to you seven times saying, ‘I am sorry,’
you should forgive him.”
And the Apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.”
The Lord 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.”
“Things that cause sin will inevitably occur,
but woe to the one through whom they occur.
It would be better for him if a millstone were put around his neck
and he be thrown into the sea
than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin.
Be on your guard!
If your brother sins, rebuke him;
and if he repents, forgive him.
And if he wrongs you seven times in one day
and returns to you seven times saying, ‘I am sorry,’
you should forgive him.”
And the Apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.”
The Lord 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.”
Meditation: "Do
not cause one of these little ones to sin"
What's
the driving force in your life? Jesus speaks of two forces at work in our lives
– the power of temptation to sin and cause harm and the power of faith to
overcome obstacles and difficulties that stand in the way of loving God and our
neighbor. The Greek word for temptation (scandalon) is
the same as the English word scandal. The original meaning of
scandal is a trap or a stumbling block which causes one to trip and fall. The
scriptures warn us about the snare or enticement to go astray and to do what is
evil. Keep me from the trap which they have laid for me, and from the
snares of evildoers! (Psalm 141:9) Whoever loves a brother or
sister lives in the light, and in such a person there is no cause for stumbling (1
John 2:10). The Jews held that it was an unforgivable sin to teach another to
sin. If we teach another to sin, he or she in turn may teach still another,
until a train of sin is set in motion with no foreseeable end. Jesus warns his
disciples of the terrible responsibility that they must set no stumbling block
in the way of another, that is, not give offense or bad example that might lead
another to sin. The young in faith are especially vulnerable to the bad example
of those who should be passing on the faith.
While
Jesus warns against the danger of giving bad example and causing scandal, he
also demonstrates the power of faith for overcoming obstacles and temptation to
sin. What did Jesus mean when he said that our faith can move trees and mountains as
well (see Matthew17:20; Mark 11:23)? The term "mountain remover" was
used for someone who could solve great problems and difficulties. Don't we
often encounter challenges and difficulties which seem beyond our power to
handle? What appears impossible to human power is possible to those who believe
in God's power. Faith is a gift freely given by God to help us know God
personally, to understand his truth, and to live in the power of his love. God
expects more from us than we can simply do by ourselves. That is why Jesus
gives us the gift and power of the Holy Spirit who helps us to grow strong in
faith, persevere in hope, and endure in love. Faith in God is the key for
removing obstacles and difficulties which keep us from doing his will. We
belong to God and our lives are no longer our own. Our joy and privilege is to
follow the Lord Jesus and to serve in the power of his love and goodness. The
Lord Jesus is ever ready to work in and through us for his glory. For our faith
to be effective it must be linked with trust and with obedience – an
active submission to God and a willingness to do whatever he commands. Do you
trust in the grace and strength which God freely gives to help us resist
temptation and to overcome obstacles in doing his will?
"Lord Jesus, you give us victory over the destructive forces
of sin and harmful desires that keep us from doing your will. Give me the
strength to always choose what is good and to reject what is wrong. May your
love rule my heart that I may forgive those who cause me harm and guide those
who need your help."
 Uprooting Sin |
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Memorial of Saint
Martin of Tours, bishop
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Father Edward
Hopkins, LC
Luke 17:1-6
Jesus said to his disciples, "Things
that cause sin will inevitably occur, but woe to the person through whom they
occur. It would be better for him if a millstone were put around his neck and
he be thrown into the sea than for him to cause one of these little ones to
sin. Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents,
forgive him. And if he wrongs you seven times in one day and returns to you
seven times saying, ´I am sorry,´ you should forgive him." And the
apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith." The Lord 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.
Introductory Prayer: I believe in you, Lord Jesus, as the only
one who can fill my heart. I believe in the power of faith to change my life
and the lives of others. I trust that you will grant me the light and
strength to cast out sin from my life. I come to you in prayer so that I can
love you even more with a firm but serene opposition to sin.
Petition: Lord, may I desire “death before sin.”
1. Causing Others to Sin: The negative effects of sin are many:
offending God, damaging my conscience and soul, hardening my heart, forming
bad habits, losing grace and will power, creating distance and difficulty in
prayer, etc. But no result of sin is more damaging than that of scandal,
where my sin leads others to sin. Why is this so serious? As a Christian I am
called to live and teach Christ’s life to others. Scandal falsifies and
contradicts my vocation and mission in life. We all have “little ones”
entrusted to us: children, family members, those new to the faith, those
searching, those who are especially weak…. If I am truly dedicated to lead
them to Christ, then sin and scandal will have little room. How real and
determined is my dedication?
2. Rebuke and Forgive: We must fight sin wherever we find it. How
much more difficult does this become in a world where tolerance is ranked
above virtue! Even in family life we are tempted to let things go and not
create friction and uneasiness. But if sin is our greatest enemy, then we
must always cast it out. The key is to do everything with the heart of
Christ, a heart of love: ready to forgive the sinner, never judging their heart,
but never minimizing an evil action. How well do I teach moral truth? Do I
distinguish the sin from the sinner? Is Christ’s love always my motivation
and dominant message?
3. Faith Uproots Sin: All of this -- fighting personal sin and
helping others conquer it -- seemed a bit much for the apostles. They begged
for an increase of faith. Faith of any size embraces God’s understanding of
the evil of sin and seeks to live accordingly. Yet sin is not overcome
easily, and mere understanding is not enough. We must uproot sin from our
lives and reject it constantly in the lives of others. Only Christ’s love
provides the strength we need, and often the perseverance in battling the
same sins over time only comes through the strength that comes from Christ’s
love. Only through Christ can our hearts be filled and not return to old
habits of sin.
Conversation with Christ: Give me, Lord, the courage to fight sin in
my life. Grant me your heart, Lord, so I can fight and suffer without
cowardice, without taking time out and without discouragement, even if others
do not understand or thank me. Help me to uproot sin from my life and put you
first.
Resolution: I will fight to eradicate sins against
charity in my family or work life. I will avoid it and call others to do so
too in a gentle but firm manner.
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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11, LUKE 17:1-6
(Wisdom 1:1-7; Psalm 139)
(Wisdom 1:1-7; Psalm 139)
KEY VERSE: "If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mulberry tree, `Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it would obey you" (v 6).
READING: Luke collected various teachings of Jesus, some of which were: avoiding offenses (v 1-2); how to treat an offending member of the community (v 3-4); and the efficacy of faith (v 5-6). The first saying involved those who caused innocent people to sin. Jesus told the future leaders of the Church that a terrible chastisement awaited those who scandalized his "little ones." To be thrown into the sea with a mill-stone (used to grind corn) hung about the neck, was a common proverb regarding punishment for wrongdoing. Then Jesus addressed the matter of forgiving other members of the community who mistreated them. A disciple should be willing to forgive fellow Christians as often as they were asked ("70 x 7" in Matthew 18:22). Faced with these challenges, the disciples cried, "Increase our faith" (v 5). Jesus told them that they only needed a small amount of faith to accomplish great works. With faith the size of a mustard seed, they could cast a huge mulberry tree into the sea. This figure of speech referred to the accomplishment of things that were very difficult, but not impossible with Jesus at our side.
REFLECTING: What obstacle stands in the way of my growing in faith?
PRAYING: Lord Jesus, help me to heed your words so that I might grow in charity and faith.
November 11, Memorial of Martin of Tours
Martin discovered Christianity in his early teens. He joined the
Roman imperial army at age 15. Trying to live his faith, he refused to let his
servant wait on him. Once, while on horseback in Gaul (modern France), he
encountered a half-naked beggar and gave half of his cloak to him. Later Martin
had a vision of Christ wearing the cloak. Martin was released from military
service at Worms, and became a student of St. Hilary at Poitiers. Martin became
a hermit for ten years and had a reputation for holiness which attracted other
monks. They formed what would become the Benedictine abbey of Ligugé. When the
bishop of Tours died in 371, Martin was the immediate choice to replace him.
Martin declined, citing his unworthiness, yet when he arrived in the city, he
was declared bishop by popular acclamation, and consecrated on 4 July 372.
Martin moved to a hermit's cell near Tours. Other monks joined him, and he
rarely left his monastery. Martin was given to visions, but even his
contemporaries sometimes ascribed them to his habit of lengthy fasts.
November 11, Veteran's Day (USA)
Veterans Day is the American name for the international day of
remembrance called Armistice Day. It falls on November 11, the anniversary of
the signing of the Armistice that ended World War 1. All major hostilities of
World War 1 were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th
month of 1918 with the German signing of the Armistice. Armistice Day was first
commemorated in the United States by President Woodrow Wilson in 1919, and many
states made it a legal holiday. Congress passed a resolution in 1926 inviting
all Americans to observe the day, and made it a legal holiday nationwide in
1938. In 1968, new legislation changed the national commemoration of Veterans
Day to the fourth Monday in October. It soon became apparent that November 11
was a date of historic significance to many Americans. Therefore, in 1978
Congress returned the observance to its traditional date. The holiday has been
observed annually on November 11 since that date - first as Armistice Day, and
later as Veterans' Day. Veterans Day is a celebration to honor America's
veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and
sacrifice for the common good.
November 11, Remembrance Day (Canada)
Every year on November 11, Canadians pause in
a silent moment of remembrance for the men and women who have served, and
continue to serve our country during times of war, conflict and peace. They
honor those who fought for Canada in the First World War (1914-1918), the
Second World War (1939-1945), and the Korean War (1950-1953), as well as those
who have served since then. More than 1,500,000 Canadians have served their
country in this way, and more than 100,000 have died. They gave their lives and
their futures so that all may live in peace
Guide me, Lord, along the
everlasting way.
‘Better to be thrown into the sea than lead astray one of these
little ones.’In a eulogy at Helen’s funeral, her daughter Lizzie made the comment: ‘It was not until I was twenty that I realised I was not quite as beautiful or as brilliant as my mother always told me.’ Now herself a mother, Lizzie is assured, funny, spontaneous and completely natural. She quipped that she suffers from over-confidence! Laughing and crying, she poured out her gratitude for what Helen, a sole parent, had done for her. Newspapers seem full of life’s casualties: people whose self-destructive lives seem to be traced back to families where there is little nurture. The cause may be illness or addiction, or an emphasis on success or materialism. Jesus, you loved and welcomed children. Help us to give children our time and companionship when they are young so that these bonds will be a source of strength throughout their lives.
November 11
St. Martin of Tours
(316?-397)
St. Martin of Tours
(316?-397)
A conscientious objector who wanted to be a monk; a monk who was
maneuvered into being a bishop; a bishop who fought paganism as well as pleaded
for mercy to heretics—such was Martin of Tours, one of the most popular of
saints and one of the first not to be a martyr.
Born of
pagan parents in what is now Hungary and raised in Italy, this son of a veteran
was forced at the age of 15 to serve in the army. He became a Christian
catechumen and was baptized at 18. It was said that he lived more like a monk
than a soldier. At 23, he refused a war bonus and told his
commander: "I have served you as a soldier; now let me serve Christ.
Give the bounty to those who are going to fight. But I am a soldier of Christ and
it is not lawful for me to fight." After great difficulties, he was
discharged and went to be a disciple of Hilary of Poitiers (January 13).
He was
ordained an exorcist and worked with great zeal against the Arians. He became a
monk, living first at Milan and later on a small island. When Hilary was
restored to his see after exile, Martin returned to France and established what
may have been the first French monastery near Poitiers. He lived there for 10
years, forming his disciples and preaching throughout the countryside.
The
people of Tours demanded that he become their bishop. He was drawn to that city
by a ruse—the need of a sick person—and was brought to the church, where he
reluctantly allowed himself to be consecrated bishop. Some of the consecrating
bishops thought his rumpled appearance and unkempt hair indicated that he was
not dignified enough for the office.
Along
with St. Ambrose (December 7), Martin rejected Bishop Ithacius’s principle of
putting heretics to death—as well as the intrusion of the emperor into such
matters. He prevailed upon the emperor to spare the life of the heretic
Priscillian. For his efforts, Martin was accused of the same heresy, and
Priscillian was executed after all. Martin then pleaded for a cessation of the
persecution of Priscillian’s followers in Spain. He still felt he could
cooperate with Ithacius in other areas, but afterwards his conscience troubled
him about this decision.
As death
approached, his followers begged him not to leave them. He prayed, "Lord,
if your people still need me, I do not refuse the work. Your will be
done."
Stories:
On a bitterly cold
day, a famous legend goes, Martin met a poor man, almost naked, trembling in
the cold and begging from passersby at the city gate. Martin had nothing but
his weapons and his clothes. He drew his sword, cut his cloak into two pieces,
gave one to the beggar and wrapped himself in the other half. Some of the
bystanders laughed at his now odd apearance; others were ashamed at not having
relieved the man's misery. That night in his sleep Martin saw Christ dressed in
the half of the garment he had given away, and heard him say, "Martin,
still a catechumen, has covered me with his garment."
Comment:
Martin's worry about cooperation with evil reminds us that almost nothing is either all black or all white. The saints are not creatures of another world: They face the same perplexing decisions that we do. Any decision of conscience always involves some risk. If we choose to go north, we may never know what would have happened had we gone east, west or south. A hypercautious withdrawal from all perplexing situations is not the virtue of prudence; it is, in fact, a bad decision, for "not to decide is to decide."
Martin's worry about cooperation with evil reminds us that almost nothing is either all black or all white. The saints are not creatures of another world: They face the same perplexing decisions that we do. Any decision of conscience always involves some risk. If we choose to go north, we may never know what would have happened had we gone east, west or south. A hypercautious withdrawal from all perplexing situations is not the virtue of prudence; it is, in fact, a bad decision, for "not to decide is to decide."
Quote:
Patron Saint of:
Horses
Soldiers
Horses
Soldiers
LECTIO: LUKE
17,1-6
Lectio:
Monday, November 11, 2013
Ordinary Time
1) Opening prayer
God of power and mercy,
protect us from all harm.
Give us freedom of spirit
and health in mind and body
to do your work on earth.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
protect us from all harm.
Give us freedom of spirit
and health in mind and body
to do your work on earth.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
2) Gospel reading - Luke 17,1-6
Jesus said to his disciples, 'Causes of falling are sure to
come, but alas for the one through whom they occur! It would be better for such
a person to be thrown into the sea with a millstone round the neck than to be
the downfall of a single one of these little ones.
Keep watch on yourselves! 'If your brother does something wrong, rebuke him and, if he is sorry, forgive him.
And if he wrongs you seven times a day and seven times comes back to you and says, "I am sorry," you must forgive him.'
The apostles said to the Lord, 'Increase our faith.' The Lord replied, 'If you had faith like a mustard seed you could say to this mulberry tree, "Be uprooted and planted in the sea," and it would obey you.
Keep watch on yourselves! 'If your brother does something wrong, rebuke him and, if he is sorry, forgive him.
And if he wrongs you seven times a day and seven times comes back to you and says, "I am sorry," you must forgive him.'
The apostles said to the Lord, 'Increase our faith.' The Lord replied, 'If you had faith like a mustard seed you could say to this mulberry tree, "Be uprooted and planted in the sea," and it would obey you.
3) Reflection
• Today the Gospel gives us three different words of Jesus: one
on how to avoid causing scandal or scandalizing the little ones, the other one
on the importance of pardon and a third one on Faith in God which we should
have.
• Luke 17, 1-2: First word: To avoid scandal. “Jesus said to his disciples: “It is unavoidable that there are scandals, but alas for the one through whom they occur. It would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a millstone round the neck than to be the downfall of a single one of these little ones”. To cause scandal is that which makes people trip and fall. At the level of faith, it means that which drives away the person from the right path: to scandalize the little ones, to be for them the cause to draw away from God and make them lose their faith in God. Anyone who does this deserves the following sentence: “A millstone round the neck and to be thrown into the sea!” Why such severity? This is because Jesus identifies himself with the little ones, with the poor (Mt 25, 40.45). They are those he prefers, the first ones to whom the Good News will be given (cf. Lk 4, 18). Anyone who touches them touches Jesus! Throughout the centuries, many times, we Christians because of our way of living faith have been the cause why the little ones have drawn away from the Church and have gone towards other religions. They have not been able, any longer, to believe, as the Apostle said in the Letter to the Romans, quoting the Prophet Isaiah: “In fact, it is your fault that the name of God is held in contempt among the nations.” (Rm 2, 24; Is 52, 5; Ez 36, 22). Up to what point are we guilty, it is our fault? Do we also deserve the millstone round the neck?
• Luke 17, 3-4: Second word: Forgive your brother. “If your brother does something wrong rebuke him and, if he is sorry, forgive him. And if he wrongs you seven times a day and seven times comes back to you and says, ‘I am sorry’, you must forgive him”. Seven times a day! This is not little! Jesus asks very much! In the Gospel of Matthew, He says that we should forgive seventy times seven! (Mt 18, 22). Forgiveness and reconciliation are some of the themes on which Jesus insists the most. The grace to be able to forgive persons and to reconcile them among themselves and with God was granted to Peter (Mt 16, 19), to the Apostles (Jn 20, 23) and to the community (Mt 18, 18). The parable on the need to forgive our neighbour leaves no doubt: if we do not forgive our brothers, we cannot receive the pardon from God (Mt 18, 22-35; 6, 12.15; Mk 11, 26). And there is no proportion between the pardon that we receive from God and the pardon that we have to offer to our neighbour. The pardon with which God forgives us gratuitously is like ten thousand talents compared to one hundred denarii (Mt 18, 23-35). It is estimated that ten thousand talents are 174 tons of gold; one hundred denarii are not more than 30 grams of gold.
• Luke 17, 5-6: Third word: Increase our faith. “The apostles said to the Lord: ‘Increase our faith!’” The Lord answered: If you had faith like a mustard seed you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea’, and it would obey you”. In this context of Luke, the question of the apostles seems to be motivated by the order of Jesus to forgive up to seventy times seven, in one day, the brother or the sister who sins against us. 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 seventy times seven, in one day, the brother who sins against us. Humanly speaking, in the eyes of the world, to forgive in this way is foolish and a scandal, but for us this attitude is the expression of divine wisdom which forgives us infinitely much more. Paul said: “We announce Christ crucified scandal for the Jews and foolishness for the gentiles (I Co 1, 23).
• Luke 17, 1-2: First word: To avoid scandal. “Jesus said to his disciples: “It is unavoidable that there are scandals, but alas for the one through whom they occur. It would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a millstone round the neck than to be the downfall of a single one of these little ones”. To cause scandal is that which makes people trip and fall. At the level of faith, it means that which drives away the person from the right path: to scandalize the little ones, to be for them the cause to draw away from God and make them lose their faith in God. Anyone who does this deserves the following sentence: “A millstone round the neck and to be thrown into the sea!” Why such severity? This is because Jesus identifies himself with the little ones, with the poor (Mt 25, 40.45). They are those he prefers, the first ones to whom the Good News will be given (cf. Lk 4, 18). Anyone who touches them touches Jesus! Throughout the centuries, many times, we Christians because of our way of living faith have been the cause why the little ones have drawn away from the Church and have gone towards other religions. They have not been able, any longer, to believe, as the Apostle said in the Letter to the Romans, quoting the Prophet Isaiah: “In fact, it is your fault that the name of God is held in contempt among the nations.” (Rm 2, 24; Is 52, 5; Ez 36, 22). Up to what point are we guilty, it is our fault? Do we also deserve the millstone round the neck?
• Luke 17, 3-4: Second word: Forgive your brother. “If your brother does something wrong rebuke him and, if he is sorry, forgive him. And if he wrongs you seven times a day and seven times comes back to you and says, ‘I am sorry’, you must forgive him”. Seven times a day! This is not little! Jesus asks very much! In the Gospel of Matthew, He says that we should forgive seventy times seven! (Mt 18, 22). Forgiveness and reconciliation are some of the themes on which Jesus insists the most. The grace to be able to forgive persons and to reconcile them among themselves and with God was granted to Peter (Mt 16, 19), to the Apostles (Jn 20, 23) and to the community (Mt 18, 18). The parable on the need to forgive our neighbour leaves no doubt: if we do not forgive our brothers, we cannot receive the pardon from God (Mt 18, 22-35; 6, 12.15; Mk 11, 26). And there is no proportion between the pardon that we receive from God and the pardon that we have to offer to our neighbour. The pardon with which God forgives us gratuitously is like ten thousand talents compared to one hundred denarii (Mt 18, 23-35). It is estimated that ten thousand talents are 174 tons of gold; one hundred denarii are not more than 30 grams of gold.
• Luke 17, 5-6: Third word: Increase our faith. “The apostles said to the Lord: ‘Increase our faith!’” The Lord answered: If you had faith like a mustard seed you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea’, and it would obey you”. In this context of Luke, the question of the apostles seems to be motivated by the order of Jesus to forgive up to seventy times seven, in one day, the brother or the sister who sins against us. 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 seventy times seven, in one day, the brother who sins against us. Humanly speaking, in the eyes of the world, to forgive in this way is foolish and a scandal, but for us this attitude is the expression of divine wisdom which forgives us infinitely much more. Paul said: “We announce Christ crucified scandal for the Jews and foolishness for the gentiles (I Co 1, 23).
4) Personal questions
• In my life, have I been some times, a cause of scandal for my
neighbour? Or, sometimes, have others been a cause of scandal for me?
• Am I capable to forgive seven times a day my brother or my sister who offends me, seven times a day?
• Am I capable to forgive seven times a day my brother or my sister who offends me, seven times a day?
5) Concluding prayer
Sing to him, make music for him,
recount all his wonders!
Glory in his holy name,
let the hearts that seek Yahweh rejoice! (Ps 105,2-3)
recount all his wonders!
Glory in his holy name,
let the hearts that seek Yahweh rejoice! (Ps 105,2-3)
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