Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: November 11, 2024

Date: Memorial of St. Martin de Tours

Scripture Text: 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."

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The gospel text for today recounts Jesus’ warning us not to be occasion for sin of another or to lead others into sin. Jesus also stresses at this time that we must be merciful as we ourselves need mercy. The Apostles recognized that what Jesus was setting before them, though simple, would not always be easy, and asked for an increase in their faith, both amount of faith and intensity/depth. Jesus ended by assuring them that their prayer for faith was wise because with faith, with belief in the LORD, the impossible becomes possible.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Am I careful to not lead others into sin? Am I forgiving of others? Is my faith deep enough to allow me to be the instrument of the LORD I desire to be?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, Beloved and Precious Son, Most Holy Spirit, we come before You aware of your love and your goodness, aware that it is only from You, through You, and in You that love itself exists and that a loving life may be lived. Send your Spirit to guide us on our journey, to help us avoid those areas and activities that lead us away from You. Grant that we may never be the cause of another’s sin. Increase our faith, deepen our hope, intensify our love so that we might become the daughters and sons You created us to be, the disciples You call us to be, the temples of God your presence makes us to be. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.