The Upload
Posted on Sep 30, 2016 by
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
I pray you have had a good week.
Did you watch any of the Olympics back in August? You know, every time the Olympics come around, both the winter and summer Olympics, I initially think, “Oh, I’m not going to spend much time watching those.” But then the games begin, and it seems like once I start, I can’t stop watching them, and then I really miss them when they are over. I would never watch swimming, track, diving, or cross-country events any other time, but when the Olympics are on, I am glued to the TV. I thought about why that is this past August, and I realized that I watch mostly because I am in awe of the athletes. It is obvious their dedication to training and preparing for what they do is incredible. To be an Olympic athlete, one must dedicate their life to doing everything they can to get better, faster, and stronger at what they do.
We often talk about our faith in the same way, don’t we? We say things like, “Have a little more faith,” or “She has such a strong faith.” In our gospel text this week (Luke 16:19-31), the disciples ask Jesus to “increase our faith!” Jesus has just told them, “Be on your guard! If another disciple sins, you must rebuke the offender, and if there is repentance, you must forgive. And if the same person sins against you seven times a day, and turns back to you seven times and says, 'I repent,' you must forgive" (Luke 17:3-4). No wonder they feel as though their faith isn’t adequate. No wonder they fell like one of those Olympic athletes that feels they need to work harder before they go out and compete. Forgiveness is challenging, especially when someone is a repeat offender.
But what is really interesting is that Jesus says they don’t need more faith. They don’t need to work harder to be a more faithful person; instead, Jesus seems to encourage them to use the little faith they have, and God will do wonders with it. After all, it isn’t a matter of how strong our faith is, but how strong God is. God can do the impossible. God can help someone who has been hurt forgive the one who hurt them.
God can do what we find difficult to do. When we have been deeply hurt, it is difficult for us to forgive, but Jesus says you have all the faith you need to do it. How can Jesus ask this of us? Because, from the cross, he forgave the ones who put him there.
Have a blessed and holy week!
Shalom,
Pr. Dave