taking flight fall 2005

 

spicebush photo by sji

 

November 7, 2005

Lk 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.”
The opportunity to sin is ever present. It is so easy to sin and lead others to sin. Jesus teaches to be on guard beware of what leads to sinning or leading other to sinning. If wronged by another, we are to have a great many times of forgiveness for the other person. These are matters of faith. God will increase our faith and make many things that are seemingly impossible possible. As the Apostles...today I also ask Jesus to increase my faith. This prayer is for a growth and faith and forgiveness and alertness and avoidance of sin. With increased faith comes increased awareness and wisdom from the HOLY SPIRIT.