You Should Forgive Your Brother Seven Times | Your Faith Size Of The Mustard Seed Can Work Wonder ||

Monday: Memorial of Saint Martin of Tours (November 11) "Increase our faith"

Gospel: Luke 17:1-6

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."

Reflection:
Jesus speaks of two forces at work in our lives: the temptation to sin and the power of faith to overcome obstacles that block us from loving God and our neighbor. The Greek word for temptation (scandalon) is the same as the English word scandal. The original meaning of scandal is a trap or a stumbling block that causes one to fall.

The Lord points out that we have a moral responsibility to give good examples to others. While Jesus warns against the danger of giving bad examples and causing scandal, he also demonstrates faith's power to overcome obstacles and temptation to sin and wrongdoing. What does Jesus mean when he says that our faith can move trees: “You would say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it would obey you."? It means that one who can move things is someone who can solve great problems and difficulties.

Faith in God is the key to removing obstacles and difficulties which keep us from doing God's will. We belong to God. Our joy is to follow the Lord Jesus and to serve him and our brothers and sisters.

Prayer:
"Lord Jesus, give us strength to always choose what is good and reject what is wrong. May your love and truth permeate our hearts so that we may give good examples to others."

Taken and edited from: