Stumbling and Forgiveness

Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Occasions for stumbling are bound to come, but woe to anyone by whom they come! It would be better for you if a millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea than for you to cause one of these little ones to stumble. 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.’ The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith!’ The Lord replied, ‘If you had 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. ‘Who among you would say to your slave who has just come in from ploughing or tending sheep in the field, “Come here at once and take your place at the table”? Would you not rather say to him, “Prepare supper for me, put on your apron and serve me while I eat and drink; later you may eat and drink”? Do you thank the slave for doing what was commanded? So you also, when you have done all that you were ordered to do, say, “We are worthless slaves; we have done only what we ought to have done!” ’ Luke 17:1-10

Some of the Gospel readings during these last days before Advent seem to bring a harshness and anger from Jesus and therefore from God. I have learned, with all texts, to read for the subtexts and the hidden, interpersonal challenges. I imagine, living with these rowdy and dense disciples was a challenge even for Jesus. Like you and me, we find ourselves in communities of people we love and who drive us crazy. We all stumble, get jealous, act out and blame others. Jesus invites us to recognize our stumblings and our sins, admit them, and work to mend relationships. Harboring anger, self-righteous indignation and the like, destroys the love of God. We are all here to serve, one another and the world.

Wondrous Creator, you know our hearts

you live with us in our joys and failures

you see the beauty in every one of us

and you call us to serve each other and you.

We fall and blame others for our failure

we refuse to seek forgiveness or forgive

we would rather be right than be free

we would rather isolate ourselves that repair.

Give us your posture of serving and forgiving

may our actions always reflect your love

may we reach out a hand to those stumbling

and seek your forgiveness at all times. Amen.