Readings
Habakkuk 1:1-4, 2:1-4
Psalm 37:1-10
2 Timothy 1:1-14
Luke 17:5-10
Yet again, we have a difficult lesson in today’s Gospel. Jesus speaks of faith and miracles and then of masters and slaves. At first reading his words may seem chiding and a call to a form of self-deprecation that is offensive to our modern ears. Does Jesus really think we have no faith? Does he really want us to see ourselves as worthless?
Well, as I said already, at first glance it appears to be the case. But, perhaps, just perhaps, Jesus is instead speaking in love to his followers and calling them to understand something very important.
First off, remember that one of Jesus’ consistent patterns is to speak hyperbolically – that is to say he uses exaggerated language to make his point. Secondly, remember that he is speaking out of a social context that is quite different than our own.
Earlier in this passage, in a part we, unfortunately, did not read this morning. Jesus is teaching his disciples that it is better to be drown in the sea than to mislead someone seeking God. And then he tells his disciples that they must forgive without limit. These are difficult teachings, even for us today. The forgiveness one feels especially poignant since it seems to be the human condition to struggle with forgiveness. Which of us doesn’t often want to put conditions on our forgiveness or struggle to forgive at all when we are deeply offended or aggrieved?
It is to these teachings that Jesus’ disciples say “increase our faith.” But let’s be clear, in this context faith does not necessarily mean “belief.” No more likely faith first means “trust,” and secondly to behave with good intention. In other words Jesus’ followers are asking for greater ability to trust in God and to act in good faith.
To this Jesus responds that “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.” Now is he saying if they only had a little faith they could perform miracles? Perhaps. But I believe it is more likely that he is saying even the smallest amount of faith in God allows for us to achieve virtually anything. From my perspective Jesus is encouraging his disciples, who already have faith in him, that even the smallest amount of faith is all that is required. That there is no need for him to “increase their faith.”
But he then goes on to speak a teaching about slaves and masters. He juxtaposes the inconceivable idea of a master serving a slave and a slave simply doing what it is told. He then, using the idiom of his day about the nature of a slave, articulates the expected understanding of what it means to be a slave in terms of what the he or she accomplishes.
It would be easy to think that Jesus is calling his disciples, and by extension us, to an understanding of our humanity as worthless. That there is no merit in the work we do, only expectation. And if that is all he is saying, it would be easy for us to be bothered by this part of today’s Gospel reading, and rightly so.
But the witness of scripture again and again is that God holds us as beloved children and heirs through Christ. We are a kingdom of priests to serve our God. Our humanity is marked by God’s original blessing and, while we struggle with sin, we are in the eyes of God good and deserving of God’s love.
So what exactly is the second part of this Gospel about? Well I believe it is a call for us to recognize something we struggle with even today. It is a call to not put our faith in ourselves alone, but to recognize that it is with faith in God that all things are possible. It is a warning to not let our egos get the best of us when God does good works through us and to recognize that our goodness and worth come from God.
The disciples request to increase their faith came not from a recognition that God is already at work in their lives, but from a sense of overwhelm when trying to imagine living up to the call of the Gospel. That sense of overwhelm comes from the assumption that we have to do it ourselves. We live in a society that tells us to pull ourselves up by own “bootstraps,” But the call of our faith is to rely not on ourselves and our abilities alone, but to trust in God and let God use us and what we have to accomplish the work that is before us. We no longer need to compete. We no longer need to be the sole source of all light and good.
Yes, today’s lesson might seem harsh at first, but it is, in fact, a lesson of comfort and consolation. We are being unburdened and told that with even the smallest trust in God nothing in our lives is impossible. It is a reminder of the care and love of God for all of us and while it is a call to action, it is a recognition that we never have to do it alone.
And do you know what the amazing thing is? When we have such a faith. When we trust in God and no longer have to be in competition with one another, we are free to see the value in one another as God sees the value in us. We are empowered to be agents of healing and reconciliation in the world. We are capable of addressing all those things which seem too big, whether it is sexism, racism, political and social polarization, or the environment and global warming.
I would invite you in the week ahead to join with me in contemplating on this gift we have been given. Each time you feel insufficient or anxious because of what life or the world has thrown in front of you; each time you struggle to forgive or to know what to say; take time to remember that we do not need to do it alone. Contrary to what our egos are telling us, we do not need to be the source of all good and light in this world. In fact, if we but have the tiniest trust in God, anything is possible.
We are a people of faith, not simply belief. We have been given that faith as a gift. May we have the courage and conviction to trust in it. May we be servants of our God, knowing that all that we need and all that is required of us is within our grasp. May we recognize the mustard seed of faith within us and know the love of the one who gives it now and always.