From: Luke 17:5-10
The Power of Faith
Humble Service
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Commentary:
1-3. Our Lord condemns scandal, that is, “any saying, action or omission which
constitute for another an occasion of sin” (”St. Pius X Catechism”, 417). Jesus is
teaching two things here: the first is that scandal will “in fact” happen; the se-
cond, that it is a grave sin, as shown by the punishment it earns.
The reason why it is so serious a sin is that it “tends to destroy God’s greatest
work, that of Redemption, through souls being lost; it kills one’s neighbor’s soul
by taking away the life of grace, which is more precious than the life of the body,
and it is the cause of a multitude of sins. This is why God threatens with the
most severe punishment those who cause others to stumble” (”ibid”., 418). See
Matthew 18:6-7; 18-8; 18:10.
“Take heed to yourselves”: a serious warning, meaning that we should not be a
cause of scandal to others nor should we be influenced by the bad example
others give us.
People who enjoy authority of any kind (parents, teachers, politicians, writers,
artists, etc.) can more easily be a cause of scandal. We need to be on the alert
in this respect in view of our Lord’s warning, “Take heed to yourselves.”
2. Millstones were circular in shape with a large hole in the center. Our Lord’s
description, therefore, was very graphic: it meant that the person’s head just fit-
ted through the hole and then he could not get the stone off.
3-4. In order to be a Christian one must always, genuinely, forgive others. Also,
one has to correct an erring brother to help him change his behavior. But frater-
nal correction should always be done in a very refined way, full of charity; other-
wise we would humiliate the person who has committed the fault, whereas we
should not humiliate him but help him to be better.
Forgiving offenses — which is something we should always do — should not be
confused with giving up rights which have been justly violated. One can claim
rights without any kind of hatred being implied; and sometimes charity and jus-
tice require us to exercise our rights. “Let’s not confuse the rights of the office
you hold with your rights as a person. The former can never be waived” (St. J.
Escriva, “The Way”, 407).
Sincere forgiveness leads us to forget the particular offense and to extend the
hand of friendship, which in turn helps the offender to repent.
The Christian vocation is a calling to holiness, but one of its essential require-
ments is that we show apostolic concern for the spiritual welfare of others:
Christianity cannot be practiced in an isolated, selfish way. Thus, “if any one
among you wanders from the truth and some one brings him back, let him know
that whoever brings back a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from
death and will cover a multitude of sins” (James 5:20).
5. “Increase our faith!”: a good ejaculatory prayer for every Christian. “Omnia pos-
sibilia sunt credenti”. Everything is possible for anyone who has faith.’ The words
are Christ’s. How is it that you don’t say to Him with the Apostles: ‘”adauge no-
bis fidem”! — “Increase my faith!’?” (”The Way”, 588).
6. “I’m not one for miracles. I have told you that in the Holy Gospel I can find
more than enough to confirm my faith. But I can’t help pitying those Christians —
pious people, ‘apostles’ many of them — who smile at the idea of extraordinary
ways, of supernatural events. I feel the urge to tell them: Yes, this is still the
age of miracles: we too would work them if we had faith!” (”The Way”, 583).
7-10. Jesus is not approving this master’s abusive and arbitrary behavior: He is
using an example very familiar to His audience to show the attitude a person
should have towards his Creator: everything, from our very existence to the eter-
nal happiness promised us, is one huge gift from God. Man is always in debt to
God; no matter what service he renders Him he can never adequately repay the
gifts God has given him. There is no sense in a creature adopting a proud atti-
tude towards God. What Jesus teaches us here we see being put into practice
by our Lady, who replied to God’s messenger (the Archangel Gabriel), “Behold,
I am the handmaid of the Lord” (Luke 1:38).
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Source: “The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries”. Biblical text from the
Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries by members of
the Faculty of Theology, University of Navarre, Spain.
Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland, and
by Scepter Publishers in the United States.
Liturgical Colour: Green.
| First reading |
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| Habakkuk 1:2-3,2:2-4 © |
| Responsorial Psalm |
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| Psalm 94:1-2,6-9 © |
| Second reading |
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| 2 Timothy 1:6-8,13-14 © |
| Gospel Acclamation | 1S3:9,Jn6:68 |
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| Or | 1P1:25 |
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| Gospel | Luke 17:5-10 © |
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