#luke17

[anastpaul]

Quote/s of the Day – 25 October – Lord, Make Me an Instrument of Thy Peace

Quote/s of the Day – 25 October – Lord, Make Me an Instrument of Thy Peace. The Lord’s PrayerJesusMatthew 6:9-13 Our Father who art in heaven,Hallowed be Thy name.Thy kingdom come.Thy will be done,On earth as it is in heaven.Give us this day our daily breadAnd forgive us our trespassesAs we forgive those who trespass against usAnd lead us not into temptationbut deliver us from evil.Amen “If…

[realtybanker]

Unlocking The Kingdom Of God Within Us: A Path To Love And Kindness

Introduction

Unlocking the Kingdom of God within us is a concept that may seem abstract or elusive to many of us. However, as believers, we are called to understand and embrace this truth in order to deepen our relationship with God and live out His teachings in our daily lives. One crucial aspect of this truth is the practice of love and kindness, which is at the core of God's commandments. It is a challenge for us as believers to love unconditionally, even towards those who may be difficult to love. It is through this unconditional love that we can truly reflect God's love for us. As we embark on this journey towards unlocking the kingdom of God within us, prayer and reflection are essential tools. Through prayer, we can seek God's guidance and strength to love and show kindness towards others. We are also called to reflect on God's commandments and examine our hearts to see if there are any areas that need improvement. The kingdom of God within us is a powerful truth that has the ability to transform our lives and the lives of those around us. As we strive to practice love and kindness as commanded by God, we can unlock the fullness of this kingdom and experience the joy and peace that comes with it. In the following sections, we will delve deeper into the specific aspects of God's commandments on love and how they relate to the kingdom within us.

God's Commandments on Love

Love is the cornerstone of Christianity, and it is a commandment that is found throughout the Bible. In 1 John 4:7-8, it says, "Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love." This verse clearly states that love is not just a feeling, but it is a reflection of God's very nature. As believers, we are called to love one another as God has loved us. In 1 John 4:11, it says, "Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another." This verse emphasizes the importance of God's love for us and how it should motivate us to love others. God's love for us is unconditional and sacrificial, and it should be the same way for us to love others. This commandment to love one another is reiterated throughout the Bible, such as in John 13:34-35 where Jesus says, "A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." Our love for one another is a testimony of our faith and our relationship with God. But how do we show this love? The answer can be found in God's commandments. In 1 John 4:5, it says, "And this is love, that we walk after his commandments." This verse highlights the importance of following God's commandments in our practice of love and kindness. When we follow God's commandments, we are showing our love for God and for others. For example, the commandment to "love your neighbor as yourself" (Mark 12:31) teaches us to treat others with kindness and respect, to forgive and show compassion. The commandment to "love your enemies" (Matthew 5:44) challenges us to love even those who may not show love towards us. By following these commandments, we can improve our relationships and build a more loving community.

The Practice of Love and Kindness

In the book of 1 John 3:18, it is written, "My little children let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth." This verse reminds us that love is not just expressed in words, but it must be shown through our actions. It is not enough to say "I love you," but we must also demonstrate our love through our deeds and behavior. Similarly, in 2 John 1:6, it states, "And this is love, that we walk after his commandments." This verse emphasizes the importance of following God's commandments in our daily lives. As believers, it is our duty to not only profess our love for God but also to walk in His ways and follow His commandments. This includes showing love and kindness towards others, as it is a reflection of our love for God. The practice of love and kindness goes beyond just loving our friends and family. It extends to those who may not be easy to love, as well as those who may not show love towards us. As Christians, we are called to love unconditionally, just as God loves us unconditionally. This means loving even those who may have hurt us or have different beliefs than us. Practicing love and kindness can also mean small acts of kindness towards others, such as helping someone in need, showing compassion and forgiveness, and being patient and understanding. These simple actions can make a big impact on someone's day and can also be a reflection of God's love. Incorporating love and kindness in our daily lives also means being mindful of our words and actions towards others. We must strive to speak with love and kindness, even when we are faced with difficult situations. This can be challenging, but as we continue to practice and follow God's commandments, it will become more natural for us to respond with love and kindness. Another aspect of the practice of love and kindness is self-love. As we learn to love and accept ourselves, we are better able to love and accept others. This goes hand in hand with understanding the kingdom of God within us. When we understand that God's kingdom resides within us, we can tap into His love and show it to others.

Love as a Reflection of God's Kingdom Within

As mentioned in the previous section, the kingdom of God is within us according to Luke 17:21. But what does this mean for our understanding of love and kindness? How does the kingdom of God within reflect in our actions towards others? Firstly, the kingdom of God within refers to the presence of God's spirit within every believer. This means that as believers, we have the ability to reflect God's love and kindness towards others. In Galatians 5:22-23, it is said that the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance. These qualities are a reflection of the kingdom of God within us and are key components of love and kindness. In order to understand the kingdom of God within, we must also understand ourselves. Self-reflection and introspection are important tools in unlocking the kingdom of God within us. By taking the time to reflect on our thoughts, feelings, and actions, we can gain a deeper understanding of our inner selves and how we can better reflect God's love and kindness to those around us. Furthermore, the kingdom of God within is not limited to our own personal growth and development. It also extends to our relationships with others. As we cultivate the kingdom of God within ourselves, we are better able to show love and kindness to those in our lives. In Matthew 22:39, Jesus teaches us to love our neighbors as ourselves. This is only possible when we have a strong and deep understanding of the kingdom of God within ourselves. One way to reflect the kingdom of God within through love and kindness is by being forgiving. As believers, we are called to forgive others as God has forgiven us (Ephesians 4:32). This is not always an easy task, but through the power of the kingdom of God within us, we can extend forgiveness and show love to those who have wronged us. Another way to reflect the kingdom of God within through love and kindness is by showing compassion towards others. In Colossians 3:12, we are urged to put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. This requires us to reflect on the kingdom of God within ourselves and allow it to guide our actions towards others. In conclusion, the kingdom of God within is a reflection of our ability to love and show kindness towards others. It is through self-reflection, forgiveness, and compassion that we can unlock the kingdom within and extend God's love to those around us. As we continue to cultivate the kingdom of God within ourselves, we can create a more loving and kind community, fulfilling God's commandments on love.

The Challenge and Call to Love Unconditionally

1 John 4:20 presents a powerful challenge to believers, “If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?” This verse calls us to examine our actions and truly evaluate if we are living up to the commandment to love one another. As believers, we are called to love unconditionally, even towards those who may be difficult to love. This is not an easy task, but it is a crucial part of our faith. God’s love for us is unconditional, and as followers of Christ, we are called to mirror that love towards others. Loving unconditionally can be a challenging and humbling experience, but it is a crucial part of our spiritual growth as It allows us to reflect the love of God to those who may not know Him. So, how can we love unconditionally? The answer lies in following God’s commandments. When we choose to follow God’s commandments, we are choosing to love as He loves. In our daily lives, we may encounter people who are difficult to love. It could be a family member, a friend, a coworker, or even a stranger. However, as Christians, we are called to show love and kindness towards them regardless of their actions or attitudes towards us. This can be a challenging task, but with God’s help, it is possible. Unconditional love has the power to bring about positive change in relationships. It breaks down barriers and allows us to see others through God’s eyes. When we choose to love unconditionally, we are not just impacting the lives of others, but we are also growing in our own faith and character.

Prayer and Reflection

In order to fully understand and unlock the kingdom of God within us, it is important to incorporate prayer and reflection into our daily lives. Guided prayer and personal reflection can help us cultivate a deeper understanding of God's love and the significance of kindness in our relationships. Firstly, a guided prayer is a powerful tool in strengthening our ability to love and show kindness towards others. It allows us to connect with God and seek His guidance in embodying His commandments of love. Through prayer, we can ask for forgiveness for any past wrongdoings and ask for the strength to love unconditionally. It also allows us to express gratitude for God's love and the opportunity to share it with others. Additionally, personal reflection is crucial in understanding the kingdom of God within ourselves. It is through introspection and self-examination that we can identify any areas of our hearts that may need improvement. Reflection allows us to recognize any negative thoughts or behaviors that may hinder our ability to love and show kindness. It also helps us to see the areas where we have successfully embodied God's commandments and celebrate our growth. Through prayer and reflection, we can also gain a deeper understanding of the teachings of God's commandments on love. By taking time to reflect on the Bible verses mentioned in this article, we can find personal connections and meaning in them. We can also ask for God's guidance in applying these teachings in our daily lives. Incorporating prayer and reflection into our daily lives can also help us to overcome the challenges and difficulties that come with loving unconditionally. It can give us the strength and patience needed to love those who may be difficult to love. It can also help us to forgive and show kindness to those who may have hurt us. It is important to note that prayer and reflection should not be seen as separate from our actions. Rather, they should be seen as a means to strengthen and guide our actions of love and kindness towards others. By incorporating these practices into our daily routine, we can deepen our understanding and embodiment of God's love and the kingdom within.

Conclusion

The teachings of God's commandments on love are not just words to be read and memorized, but a way of life that should be practiced daily. Through unlocking the kingdom of God within us, we are able to tap into a deeper understanding of God's love and show it to others through our actions of love and kindness. As we have discussed, 1 John 4:7-8 reminds us to love one another, just as God has loved us. This means showing love even towards those who may be difficult to love. And 1 John 4:11 highlights the magnitude of God's love for us and encourages us to reflect that love towards others. The practice of love and kindness goes beyond words, as 1 John 3:18 reminds us. It requires action and walking after God's commandments, as seen in 2 John 1:6. By incorporating love and kindness in our daily lives, we can create a positive impact on our relationships and interactions with others. Furthermore, the kingdom of God is within us, as Luke 17:21 states. This means that we all possess the ability to love and show kindness towards others, as it is a reflection of God's kingdom within us. By taking time for self-reflection and introspection, we can tap into this inner kingdom and allow it to manifest in our actions towards others. However, as 1 John 4:20 reminds us, the challenge to love unconditionally is not always easy. It requires us to love even those who may not show love towards us. But through unconditional love, we can bring about positive change in our relationships and communities. As we continue on our journey to unlock the kingdom of God within us, prayer and reflection play a crucial role. Through guided prayers and personal reflection, we can cultivate a deeper understanding of God's love and the importance of love and kindness in our lives.

Additional Resources

There are many resources available for those seeking to unlock the kingdom of God within through love and kindness. Here are a few recommendations for further reading and study: - "The Kingdom of God and the Mission of God: Part 1" by Rick Brown - https://www.ijfm.org/PDFs_IJFM/28_1_PDFs/IJFM281_Brown.pdf - "Kingdom Of God: Meaning and Interpretation From The Bible" by Pray.com - https://www.pray.com/articles/kingdom-of-god-meaning-and-interpretation-from-the-bible - "The Church Militant and the Growth of the Kingdom of God" by Tabletalk - https://tabletalkmagazine.com/article/2023/04/the-church-militant-and-the-growth-of-the-kingdom-of-god/ - "Work Redeemed in the Kingdom of God: An Eschatological Hope for Our Labour in the Lord-Part 2" by Institute for Marketplace Transformation - https://imtglobal.org/marketplace-theology/work-redeemed-in-the-kingdom-of-god-part-2 In addition to these books, there are also many online resources available for further study. The Bible Project offers engaging and informative videos on the teachings of the Bible, including those related to love and kindness. The YouVersion Bible app also provides devotionals and reading plans on the topic of love and the kingdom of God within. Attending church services and joining a small group or Bible study can also be helpful in gaining a deeper understanding of this topic. Fellow believers can offer insights and support as we strive to practice love and kindness in our daily lives. Overall, unlocking the kingdom of God within through love and kindness is a lifelong journey. It requires continuous learning, prayer, and action. By utilizing these resources and incorporating these teachings into our lives, we can cultivate a deeper relationship with God and spread His love and kindness to those around us. Join the Realty Banker Network and network and grow with us. Connect with us on Youtube, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. We hope to see you soon! Read the full article

[suwwang]

Feeling is the secret full bookmark

Chapter 1: Law and Its Operation

Feeling is the assent of the subconscious to the truth of that which is declared to be true.

There is nothing impossible to man. Whatever the mind of man can conceive and feel as true, the subconscious can and must objectify.

The conditions of the world reflect your feeling.

"As within, so without" ["As above, so below; as below, so above; as within, so without; as without, so within", "Correspondence", the second of The Seven Principles of Hermes Trismegistus].

"The kingdom of heaven is within you"[Luke17:21].

You are already that which you want to be, and your refusal to believe this is the only reason you do not see it.

These are the two gateways into the subconscious:

Chapter 2: Sleep

Sleep, the life that occupies one-third of our stay on earth, is the natural door into the subconscious. It is in sleep and in prayer, a state akin to sleep, that man enters the subconscious to make his impressions and receive his instructions.

"As in heaven, so on earth" [Matthew 6:10; Luke 11:2]. As in the subconscious, so on earth.

You should always feel the wish fulfilled before you drop off to sleep. "How would I feel were my wish realized?" is the feeling which should monopolize and immobilize your attention as you relax into sleep.

If, as you prepare for sleep, you assume and maintain the consciousness of success by feeling "I am successful", you must be successful.

"Signs follow, they do not precede". Proof that you are will follow the consciousness that you are; it will not precede it.

Do not limit yourself to the past. Knowing that nothing is impossible to consciousness, begin to imagine states beyond the experiences of the past.

Always imagine and expect the best.

Chapter 3: Prayer

Prayer is an illusion of sleep which diminishes the impression of the outer world and renders the mind more receptive to suggestion from within.

Prayer is not so much what you ask for, as how you prepare for its reception.

"Whatsoever things ye desire, when ye pray believe that you have received them, and ye shall have them"[Mark 11:24].

The moment you accept the wish as an accomplished fact, the subconscious finds the means for its realization.

Whenever you are in the state of mind "I should like to, but I cannot", the harder you try, the less you are able to yield to the wish.

You never attract that which you want, but always attract that which you are conscious of being.

Prayer is the art of yielding to the wish and not the forcing of the wish. Whenever your feeling is in conflict with your wish, feeling will be the victor.

To yield successfully to the wish as an accomplished fact, you must create a passive state, a kind of reverie or meditative reflection similar to the feeling which precedes sleep.

An easy way to create this passive state is to relax in a comfortable chair or on a bed. If on a bed, lie flat on your back with your head on a level with your body, close the eyes and imagine that you are sleepy.

Feel – I am sleepy, so sleepy, so very sleepy. In a little while, a faraway feeling accompanied by a general lassitude and loss of all desire to move envelops you.

When this passive state is reached, imagine that you have realized your wish – not how it was realized, but simply the wish fulfilled.

Imagine in picture form what you desire to achieve in life; then feel yourself as having already achieved it.

When you emerge from the moment of prayer, it is as though you were shown the happy and successful end of a play although you were not shown how that end was achieved.

However, having witnessed the end, regardless of any anticlimactic sequence, you remain calm and secure in the knowledge that the end has been perfectly defined.

Chapter 4: Spirit – Feeling

As you capture the feeling of the state sought, you are relieved of all effort to make it so, for it is already so.

Faith is feeling, "According to your faith (feeling) be it unto you"[Matthew 9:29].

"To him that hath it shall be given and to him that hath not it shall be taken away..."[Matthew 13:12; 25:29; Mark 4:25;Luke 8:18; 19:26].

Instead of believing in God or in Jesus – believe you are God or you are Jesus.

Jesus found it not strange to do the works of God, because He believed Himself to be God. "I and My Father are one" [John 10:30].

When a man believes in the value of the advice given him and applies it, he establishes within himself the reality of success.

[newprophets]

Embracing Forgiveness, Faith, and Gratitude Luke 17

#Luke17 #FaithForgivenessGratitude #JesusTeachings #ChristianFaith #BibleWisdom #StayReady #MustardSeedFaith #SpiritualGrowth #KJV 

In Luke 17:1-4, Jesus emphasizes the significance of forgiveness, cautioning against causing others to sin and highlighting the necessity of forgiving those who repent, even if they sin multiple times in a day. This teaching underscores the boundless nature of forgiveness that Jesus advocates for His followers. The apostles, seeking to embrace this challenging directive, ask Jesus to increase their faith. In verses 5-6, Jesus reassures them that faith as tiny as a mustard seed holds immense power, capable of extraordinary feats like uprooting a mulberry tree and planting it in the sea. This metaphor illustrates that even the smallest amount of genuine faith can lead to profound outcomes, reinforcing the idea that forgiveness is achievable through faith. Further, in verses 7-10, Jesus presents a parable about a servant's duty, reminding His disciples that their acts of obedience, including forgiveness, are simply fulfilling their obligations without expecting special recognition. This humility is central to the Christian ethos. The narrative continues with the healing of ten lepers in verses 11-19, where only one, a Samaritan, returns to express gratitude. Jesus praises this act, linking gratitude to faith and, implicitly, to the capacity for forgiveness. Through these teachings, Jesus weaves together the themes of forgiveness, faith, and gratitude, urging His followers to embody these virtues as a testament to their spiritual commitment.

[mfundisi]

Understanding temptations

Understanding the Depth of Jesus’ Warning in Luke17:1 In a moment brimming with profound spiritual instruction, as recorded in Luke 17:1, Jesus imparts to His disciples an eternal truth about the human condition and our moral responsibility. He proclaims, “There will always be temptations to sin, but woe unto him through whom they come!” This passage not only recognizes the ever-present nature…

[clarissaxrose1212]

#PraiseGod #PraiseTheLord #GodIsGood #Christian #Love #LoveGod #LoveJesus #LoveEveryone #FaithInGod #ChristianFaith #Faith #HopeInGod #Hope #BelieveInGod #BelieveInJesus #ProtectKids #Children #Pray #GiveThanksToGod #GiveThanks #Repent #Forgive #BibleQuote #ChristianQuote #Quote #BibleVerse #Luke17 #Luke17v2 #KJV #🙏 #❤️ #🙌

[treasureforourhearts]

The kingdom of God is within you. #treasureforourhearts #treasureverse #GospelofLuke #treasureLuke #Luke17 #Luke1721 #GodsWord #Godspromises #scripture #bibleverse #NKJV #dailyverse #bibleverseoftheday #Christian #faith #believer #kingdomofGod #kingdomofGodiswithinyou #thekingdomofGodiswithinyou www.treasureforourhearts.com

Lin

[coptorthodox]

So the Lord said, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. Luke 17:6 #coptorthodox @coptorthodox #copticorthodox #bibleverse #bible #dailybibleverse #bibleversedaily #dailyverse #coptic #orthodox #faith #luke17 #luke17v6 #mustardseedfaith (at Lake Wanaka) https://www.instagram.com/p/BxMofsGFY2r/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1w8n9guw4zl5k

[essentialpastor]

In Luke 22:3, Satan enters Judas. The words “Satan entered Judas” remind us that Judas’s decision to betray Jesus was more serious in nature than just not trusting his friend. When Judas agreed to betray Jesus, he was, in effect, giving up his faith, his salvation, his discipleship, his relationship to Christ, for thirty pieces of silver. Judas’s actions are nothing short of apostasy -- a falling away from Christ, a giving up and turning away from one’s formerly professed faith. It is, to bring back the analogy of Lot’s wife, to “turn back” from salvation and live in sin (Luke 17:32). It is a reversal of the prodigal son’s actions: from coming home to returning to the pig slop in some strange countryside.

Deidre Richardson, “Lydia’s Heart: The Case for Prevenient Grace,” pp. 281-282. 

[anastpaul]

One Minute Reflection – 14 March – ‘ …The great and excellent Physician …’

One Minute Reflection – 14 March – “The Month of St Joseph” – Thursday of the Fourth Week in Lent – 4 Kings 4:25-38, Luke 7:11-16 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/ “Young man, I say to thee, arise!” – Luke 7:14 REFLECTION – “Our Lord, the great and excellent Physician of our infirmities, announced everywhere, before coming into this world, both His arrival and the maladies He would…

[rachelsiwafan]

Good morning 🇹🇿🇬🇧🌏#cupoftea☕️Jesus Warns of Offenses 1 Then He said to the disciples, “It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come! 2 It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones. 3 Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. 4 And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.” 5 And the apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.” 6 So the Lord said, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. 7 And which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and sit down to eat’? 8 But will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare something for my supper, and gird yourself and serve me till I have eaten and drunk, and afterward you will eat and drink’? 9 Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not. 10 So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.’ ” 11 Now it happened as He went to Jerusalem that He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. 12 Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off. 13 And they lifted up their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” 14 So when He saw them, He said to them, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed. 15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned..#Luke17:1-37#PraisetheLord#WordofGod#wordoftheday#versesoftheday#bibleverses#biblestudy#qoutesoftheday#prayernetwork#dailyinspiration#beblessedShalom#anzanamiBwanaYesu#biblia#NenolaMungu#Nenolaleo#Luka#barikiwa🙏 #eastafrica#tanzania🇹🇿 #asubuhinjema#chai#Coventry🇬🇧#lifestyleblogger#vlogger #mswahili🇹🇿#rachelsiwa🙏🏽❤️☕️ https://www.instagram.com/p/CHPpNy4nG0Q/?igshid=1mghw27h3xqlh

[piperrhymes]

A few words on the blog today about the ten lepers and the one who came back to worship. www.pipergreen.blogspot.com {link in profile} #piperspen #pipergreenwriter  #Advent #AdventJournal #theologos  #TheWord #Christmas #Christthecreator  #GospelofLuke #Godslove #Godbecameflesh #Nativity #creche #JesusChrist #ChristtheKing #Luke17  #joy #tenlepers #setthecaptivesfree #mercy #healingthesick #prayer  #intercession  #Breath #BibleStudy #Bibleteacher #hope #Incarnation  #SonofGod #TheNamesofGod (at Centennial, Colorado) https://www.instagram.com/p/B6MyVTjhRuf/?igshid=1d9dt1dj6o2vz

[simonpeterfisherofman]

Teachings about Forgiveness and Faith

   One day Jesus had said to us, “There will always be temptations against sin, but what sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting! It would be better to be thrown into the sea with a millstone hung around your neck than to cause one of these little ones to fall into sin. So watch yourselves! “If another believer sins, rebuke that person; then is there is repentance, forgive. Even if that person wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks for forgiveness, you must forgive.” The apostles said to the Lord, “Show us how to increase our faith” The Lord answered, "If you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘May you be uprooted and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you! “When a servant comes in from plowing or taking care of sheep, does his master say, ‘Prepare my meal, put on your apron, and serve me while I eat. Then you can eat later.’ And does the master thank the servant for doing what he was told to do? Of course not. In the same way, when you obey me you should say, ‘We are unworthy servants who have simply done our duty.’”  400 words (Teachings about Forgiveness and Faith - Luke 17: 1-7)

[petz87]

3-28-21 True Hope Home Service. We are in Luke 17:1-10 and this is a weekly Bible Study from our house to yours.  Have a great week everyone!

[iuicmontreal]

“The kingdom of heaven cometh not by observation:” #Luke17:20 Come learn your true #nationality according to the #Bible, learn how to #live and put your hand to the plow! Help us push the #truths of the Bible throughout the #world! So-called Blacks, #Latinos and #Native Americans are the true Israelite of the #Bible according to #Deuteronomy28:15-68 Follow #IUICNashville on all social media platforms

[frmartinshomiliesandreflections]

7th November >> Fr. Martin’s Gospel Reflections / Homilies on Luke17:1-6 for Monday, Thirty Second Week in Ordinary Time: ‘Increase our faith’.

Monday, Thirty Second Week in Ordinary Time

Gospel (Except USA)

Luke 17:1-6

If your brother does wrong, reprove him.

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Obstacles are sure to come, but alas for the one who provides them! It would be better for him to be thrown into the Sea with a millstone put round his neck than that he should lead astray a single one of these little ones. Watch yourselves!

   If your brother does something wrong, reprove 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, ‘Were your 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.’

Gospel (USA)

Luke 17:1-6

If your brother wrongs you seven times in one day, and returns to you seven times saying, “I am sorry,” you should forgive him.

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.”

Reflections (12)

(i) Monday, Thirty Second Week in Ordinary Time

The prayer of the disciples in today’s gospel reading is probably one we could all make our own, ‘Increase our faith’. Jesus had just issued a very challenging call to his disciples, not to do anything that would lead a member of the church astray and to keep forgiving without reservation those who do them wrong repeatedly and who ask pardon repeatedly. On hearing this, the disciples may have felt that their faith was not strong enough to live up to these ideals. We can all feel from time to time that the call of the gospel is beyond us. It is too demanding for our fragile faith. We pray to the Lord out of our need, asking him to increase our faith so that we can rise to the call of the gospel. Yet, in the gospel reading, Jesus wanted the disciples to recognize the potential of the faith they already had. He was suggesting that God can work powerfully through faith as small as a mustard seed. God only needs the tiniest of openings to enter our lives and work through us. We may think that our faith is weak, but as Saint Paul says in one of his letters, God’s power is often made perfect in weakness. The humble acknowledgement that our faith is not as deep or as strong as it could be gives the Lord space to work in and through us in ways that can surprise us. The gospel reading invites us to value the faith that we have, even though it may seem weak and fragile to us at times. All the Lord asks is that we keep seeking him, out of whatever faith we have, and if we do that he will see to it that our faith grows and deepens.

And/Or

(ii) Monday, Thirty Second Week in Ordinary Time

The disciples in today’s gospel reading seem to be concerned about how much faith they had. They turned to Jesus and asked for more faith, ‘Increase our faith’. However, Jesus did not respond to their request as they might have expected. He did not say to them, ‘Yes, your faith is weak, I will give you more’. Instead he stressed to them the power of a faith that is no bigger than that of a mustard seed, the smallest of all the seeds. In other words, when it comes to faith, the issue is not one of quantity. Jesus suggests that even the tiniest level of faith is enough for God. God can touch our lives through even the tiniest of openings that we make. The prayer of the disciples in today’s gospel reading is one we find easy to identify with. We can sometimes feel vaguely dissatisfied about our faith, and wonder about the state of our relationship with God. We might even describe ourselves as hanging on by a thread. The thread may be all that the Lord needs to continue relating to us. At the end of the day, faith as small as a mustard seed is all that God needs.

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(iii) Monday, Thirty Second Week in Ordinary Time

Sometimes if we are strongly challenged by someone, it can leave us feeling a little bit deflated. We might think to ourselves, ‘yes, I hear the challenge but I am not at all sure I can rise to it’. We sense that the bar has been raised too high for us and we are tempted not to bother even trying to clear it. Somewhat similar seems to be going on in the exchange between Jesus and his disciples in this morning’s gospel reading. Jesus had issued some very demanding teaching to his disciples and to his all. He calls on us never to do anything that would lead a person of faith astray, anything that would undermine another person’s faith. He goes on to call on us to show unconditional forgiveness to those who do something wrong to us, even if the offend us seven times in one day. In response to these words, the apostles say to Jesus, perhaps with a heavy heart, ‘Increase our faith’. They sense that their faith isn’t up to this challenging teaching. In response to their almost despairing prayer, Jesus gives them and us great encouragement. He assures us that even the tiniest bit of faith, faith the size of a mustard seed, can do wonders, the impossible. Rather than focusing on the poverty of our faith, we need to acknowledge whatever little faith we have, and be confident that the Lord can work powerfully through that little faith. If we are seeking the Lord at all, that is enough. He will empower us to take the path he is calling us to take.

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(iv) Monday, Thirty Second Week in Ordinary Time

In the course of the gospels we find many prayers of petition that people make to Jesus. When the disciples were in the middle of the storm at sea, they prayed aloud to him, ‘Lord, save us’. In this morning’s gospel reading we find another prayer of the disciples, ‘Lord, increase our faith’. It is a prayer we all probably find easy to make our own. It reminds me of another prayer of someone in the gospels, ‘Lord, I believe, help my unbelief’. The prayer of the disciples, ‘Lord, increase our faith’, comes immediately after Jesus’ challenging call to forgive those who offend us and who go on to ask our forgiveness, even if they offend us seven times. Before Jesus’ challenging message, the disciples felt their need of more faith, ‘Increase our faith’. In reply, Jesus declares that even faith the size of a mustard seed can do extraordinary things. The Lord can work powerfully through our little faith. Even if we feel our faith is weak at times, we can thank God for our little faith, because the Lord can do great things with it. We can never underestimate how the Lord can work in and through our little faith, if we let him.

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(v) Monday, Thirty Second Week in Ordinary Time

We find many prayers on the lips of the characters in the gospels. We often find it easy to identify with those prayers. In this morning’s gospel reading, the disciples turn to Jesus and pray, ‘Increase our faith’. That is a prayer we can easily identify with. Even people of faith know that they can grow in their faith. Those who have a relationship with the Lord know that they can deepen that relationship. In that sense, in terms of our faith we are always on a journey. We are always being called to keep growing into the person of Christ. Even at the end of our earthly lives we won’t have fully grown into the person of Christ. That is why the prayer, ‘Increase our faith’ is appropriate at every stage of our life journey. The response of Jesus to the prayer of the disciples, however, reminds us that even a little faith is a wonderful thing. Even faith the size of a mustard seed creates an opening for the Lord to work powerfully within us and through us. So we must never devalue the faith that we have, even if it seems very small to us. The Lord certainly does not devalue it but, rather, he treasures such little faith and asks us to do the same.

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 (vi) Monday, Thirty second Week in Ordinary Time

The gospel has three parts to it. In the first part Jesus warns against the danger of leading others astray. We are to watch ourselves for the sake of others. We have a responsibility for each other, and, in particular, for each other’s relationship with the Lord. We have the awesome possibility of helping to open up others to the Lord or placing an obstacle to their relationship with the Lord. The second part of the gospel reading calls on us to be ready to forgive those who do wrong us if they ask for forgiveness, and to be ready to do that not just once but seven times. It is in response to both of those quiet different but equally demanding teachings of Jesus that in the third part of the gospel reading the disciples turn to him and say, ‘Increase our faith’. They sense that the call of the gospel is beyond them and so they ask for an increase in faith. We can all feel at times that the call of the gospel is more than we can rise to. We may be very aware of ways that we block others from meeting the Lord and ways that we fail to forgive when forgiveness is asked for. Yet, Jesus declares that God can work powerfully through faith as small as a mustard seed. We are not to underestimate the faith in the Lord we do have and the ways that the Lord is working powerfully through that faith. We need to acknowledge the faith we have, especially at those times when we are tempted to think that our faith is terribly impoverished.

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(vii) Monday, Thirty Second Week in Ordinary Time

People make many requests of Jesus in the gospels. We can find ourselves easily identifying with many of the requests. These prayers of petition can easily become our prayers of petition. In this morning’s gospel reading we have one such request or prayer of petition addressed to Jesus. The disciples turn to him and say, ‘Increase our faith’. It is certainly a prayer we can make our own. As people of faith we greatly value the gift of faith that we have but we are also aware that our faith is not as strong or as deep or as courageous as it could be. We celebrate our relationship with the Lord, as we are doing every time we come to Mass, but we know that there is always scope for us to grow more fully in our relationship with the Lord. In his response to the request of the disciples, Jesus draws attention to the tremendous potential of the faith that they already have, ‘were your faith the size of a mustard seed...’. Yes, we can always pray, ‘Lord, increase our faith’, but we must not underestimate the faith we already have and the powerful way the Lord can work through our faith if we exploit its potential to the full. We need to appreciate where we already are in our relationship with the Lord, as well as seeking to grow in that relationship.

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(viii) Monday, Thirty Second Week in Ordinary Time

At the beginning of today’s gospel reading, Jesus warns against putting an obstacle in the way of someone else’s faith, leading someone astray, away from the Lord. The opposite to that is being a support to someone else’s faith, being present to others in ways that help them grow in their relationship with the Lord. We can do that in various ways. Those who become faith friends or prayer friends to the children who are to make their first holy communion support their relationship with the Lord. When the children become aware of people praying for them, it helps them to appreciate all the more their friendship with the Lord and his friendship with them. At the beginning of his gospel, Luke presents Mary and Elizabeth as faith friends or prayer friends. The meeting between them, following on Mary’s visit to Elizabeth, helped each of them to deepen their relationship with the Lord. Elizabeth was graced by Mary’s coming and Mary in turn was inspired to pray her Magnificat by Elizabeth’s welcome of her. We may feel that our own faith is not strong enough to be a support to the faith of others. Like the disciples in the gospel reading we may find ourselves praying, ‘Lord, increase our faith’. Yet, in response to that prayer, Jesus assures his disciples and all of us that even a little faith can work wonders, even a small mustard-seed size of faith can do marvellous things for the faith of others.

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(ix) Monday, Thirty Second Week in Ordinary Time

Many of us may be able to reflect over our lives and identify those who helped to nurture our faith. Our parents may come to mind, as well as teachers or what could be termed faith friends. We give thanks for all those people who helped to bring us closer to the Lord. At the beginning of today’s gospel reading, Jesus draws attention to the negative effect that people can also have on the faith of others. He issues a strong warning to those who lead members of the community of faith astray by placing an obstacle in the way of their faith. The Greek word that is translated ‘obstacle’ gives us the English word ‘scandal’. We have had to live with scandals of various kinds within the church in recent times. Such scandals have been a feature of the church’s history since the earliest days of the church, taking different forms at different times. No one can deny that the more recent scandals have undermined and weakened the faith of many. It is possible for any one of us to lead others astray, to undermine their faith in the Lord. This realization may be behind the request of the disciples to Jesus towards the end of the gospel reading, ‘Increase our faith’. It is a prayer we can all make our own. If we are to nurture the faith of others, rather become an obstacle to their faith, we need the Lord to keep increasing our own faith. Yet, Jesus’ response to the prayer of the disciples suggests that we should never underestimate the power of even our little faith, faith the size of a mustard seed. If we keep seeking the Lord, even out of our little faith, then he will work powerfully through that little faith to build up the faith of others.

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(x) Monday, Thirty Second Week in Ordinary Time

In the gospel reading Jesus is very critical of those who lead others in the community astray or cause them to stumble, in another translation. He was aware that his followers could become an obstacle to others coming to faith. On several occasions in the gospels, the disciples are portrayed as trying to block people, including children, from coming in contact with Jesus. Those in positions of leadership in the church have a special responsibility that they don’t become obstacles to people coming to faith in Jesus or to believers growing in their faith in Jesus. We have all become very aware in recent years of the great harm that can be done to the church, the believing community, by the giving of scandal. Our English word ‘scandal’ comes from the Greek word that stands behind the word ‘obstacle’ in today’s gospel reading. When Jesus says in today’s gospel reading, ‘Watch yourselves’, we are being that the way to nurturing the faith of others is to first nurture our own faith, whereas if we fail to nurture our faith or if we fail to live in accordance with our faith, the faith of others is undermined. We all have an influence for good or otherwise on each other’s relationship with the Lord. We can be an obstacle on the faith journey of others or we can help to bring each other to the Lord. If we are to lead each other to the Lord, we need to keep making our own the prayer of the disciples in today’s gospel reading, ‘Increase our faith’.

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(xi) Monday, Thirty Second Week in Ordinary Time

There is a certain realism about the opening words of Jesus in today’s gospel reading, ‘Obstacles are sure to come’. He is very aware that the world in which we live will present many an obstacle to living as his disciples. There will be temptations and pressures which will draw us in a different direction to the one that the Lord might want us to take. Given that obstacles to faith will come from the world in which we live, Jesus insists that such obstacles should not come from within the community of faith. Disciples are capable of leading other disciples astray. Believers can give scandal which makes the journey of faith more difficult for other believers. As members of Christ’s body, our calling is to support one another as we try to live our faith in the Lord in today’s world. Something of Paul’s support for Titus comes through in today’s first reading. Paul refers to Titus as ‘true child of mine in the faith, that we share’. The rest of the gospel reading outlines two ways that we can support one another on the journey of faith. One way is by our willingness to forgive one another when we wrong each other, ‘if he wrongs you… and says, “I am sorry”, you must forgive him’. The other way we can support one another is by living the faith we have to the full, even if, at times, our faith seems very weak and small to us. Yes, we can all pray, as the apostles do in the gospel reading, ‘Increase our faith’, but in response to our prayer, the Lord will remind us as he reminded them that even our little faith, a faith the size of a mustard seed, if lived generously, creates a space for the Lord to work powerfully through us.

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(xii) Monday, Thirty Second Week in Ordinary Time

The first part of today’s gospel reading has to do with how we relate to each other, and the final part with how we relate to God. In the first part, Jesus initially warns against becoming an obstacle to others on their journey of faith. We are not to undermine the faith of others by giving scandal. We are very interdependent when it comes to our faith journey. We either build each other up in faith or we do the opposite. Saint Paul often called on the members of the early church to build each other up in faith. We have some responsibility not just for the material well-being of others, but also for their spiritual well-being. Inevitably, we will not always live in ways that build up the faith of others. Jesus is a realist and in the gospel reading he recognizes that we will often wrong each other. When that happens we must stand ready to forgive others the wrong they have done us if they express sorrow and ask pardon. Sometimes we are the ones who will asking pardon of someone; at other times we will be asked to forgive someone who asks pardon of us. Jesus outlines a way of relating to others here that is ultimately rooted in our relationship with the Lord, in our faith. Here is a way of life that flows from our faith, and that is why we need to make our own the prayer of the apostles in the gospel reading, ‘Increase our faith’. Yet, the reply of Jesus to his prayer, reminds us that we should never underestimate the faith we have. The Lord can work powerfully through faith that is only the size of a mustard seed. Even our little faith can be the wellspring of that loving way of relating to each that Jesus outlines in the gospel reading.

Fr. Martin Hogan.