When we come together in community to listen to the Scripture assigned to us in the liturgical calendar, we are not picking and choosing which texts we prefer to listen to each week. Sometimes, it is a real challenge to hear Jesus’ invitation to deepening relationship with us through certain passages. This is one of the reasons it is so wise and helpful to listen to the text in community. We wonder and wrestle together as we prayerfully engage with God through the sacred reading of the Word. The Holy Spirit is present in us and with us in this process.
At first glance the two short paragraphs of Jesus’ teachings might seem completely unrelated.
What value is there in a bare kernel of faith?
What happens when our actions arise out of intimate, relational listening rather than dutiful obedience?
May the grace you seek and need be near are you draw close to Jesus to listen this day.
Luke 17:5-10 (The Message)
The apostles came up and said to the Master, “Give us more faith.”
But the Master said, “You don’t need more faith. There is no ‘more’ or ‘less’ in faith. If you have a bare kernel of faith, say the size of a poppy seed, you could say to this sycamore tree, ‘Go jump in the lake,’ and it would do it.
“Suppose one of you has a servant who comes in from plowing the field or tending the sheep. Would you take his coat, set the table, and say, ‘Sit down and eat’? Wouldn’t you be more likely to say, ‘Prepare dinner; change your clothes and wait table for me until I’ve finished my coffee; then go to the kitchen and have your supper’? Does the servant get special thanks for doing what’s expected of him? It’s the same with you. When you’ve done everything expected of you, be matter-of-fact and say, ‘The work is done. What we were told to do, we did.’”
Luke 17:5-10 NLT
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, ‘Come in and eat with me’? No, he says, ‘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.’”
For Reflection and Prayer:
As you listened to the text, was there a word, phrase or image which caught your attention? Gently repeat the word or phrase, giving it room to settle deeply in your heart.
Reflect on what you heard. Relish the words. Notice how the word or words affected you. Which emotions stirred within you? You might choose to journal about what you heard.
Respond to what you heard and reflected on in your prayer with God. Is there a prayer that rises within you?
Rest in God as you simply be and entrust yourself to God in the quiet.
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