11/13/2023 (Monday) Today’s gospel reading: Luke 17:1-6

1 Jesus said to his disciples, “Things that cause sin will inevitably occur, but woe to the one through whom they occur.
2 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.
3 Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.
4 And if he wrongs you seven times in one day and returns to you seven times saying, ‘I am sorry,’ you should forgive him.”
5 And the Apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.”
6 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.”

11/13/2023 (Monday) Today’s gospel reflection / homily / sermon: Luke 17:1-6

“Increase our faith.” This is the pleading of the Apostles because they knew how difficult it is to forgive others and how much more difficult it is to avoid sin. Saint Paul has stated the truth: “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23). Now matter how hard we try, we often stumble and sometimes we cause others to stumble. Yet the Apostles also knew that with faith, nothing is impossible. That is why they beg for an increase in faith because without faith, they can go on with their sinful ways.

There is indeed a connection between faith, sin and forgiveness. With faith in God, we become obedient to His commandments to love and to live a holy life. It is this faith that allows us to walk in the right path and to be blameless in His sight. Thus, we are able to humble ourselves and ask for forgiveness for our sins and also to forgive those who have wronged us.

In John 15:5, Jesus says, “Apart from me you can do nothing.” We can be paralyzed and unable to forgive if we are separated from Jesus. Yet with faith, we cling to Jesus, the source of our strength and courage to be holy even if we are tempted in every way. We may sin again and again but because of our faith in the loving God, we keep on coming back to Him for reconciliation. So let us pray that our faith may grow so we can be able to avoid sin and be able to reconcile with God and with one another.

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