Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus
As we near the blessed Passion Week, we are being taught more and more important life changing lessons by our Lord. From today's reading, I will be concentrating on the following key verses -
"There will always be temptations to sin, but what sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting!... So watch yourselves!" - St. Luke 17:1-3
"If another believer sins, rebuke that person; then if there is repentance, forgive." - St. Luke 17:3
"If you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, 'May you be uprooted and thrown into the sea,' and it would obey you!" - St. Luke 17:6
Dear friends, in our daily lives we all face temptations of some kind. From the smallest truths to committing adultery and fornication to murder and to so many of the other faults, we are constantly being tempted to choose the correct path. And Jesus knows that we are always tempted and He understands our pains because He has undergone the same pains and tribulations and He empathizes with us. But He warns those who tempt others. We as followers of Jesus are never meant to lead others astray by tempting them to commit sins. In today's time when corruption is at our doorsteps every day through television programs and internet.While we must guard against physical abuse, we must also be aware of and work against the mental and spiritual corruption that are caused by unfiltered and unsupervised internet surfing and television viewing can bring.
Also Jesus focuses on the "little children" who can be new disciples. It is a burden for the parents and teachers to bear to give training and correct treatment to these young ones, so that they are able to fight the spiritual and mental battle that awaits them tomorrow and to make them theologically sound.
Secondly, Jesus tells us that if there is a believer whom we believe is sinning, then we are to go and point out his sin with the purpose of restoring him or her to God and to fellow humans. We are also meant to check our attitudes when you are to rebuke that person. Are you rebuking that person in love? Are you willing to forgive? Unless rebuke is tied to forgiveness, it will not help the sinning person.
Lastly, when the disciples ask Him to show faith for such radical forgiveness, Jesus gives an example of a mustard seed. He said that our faith should be like a mustard seed. But what is faith? Faith is complete trust and loyalty to God that results in a willingness to do His will. Faith is not something we use to put on a show to others. It is complete and humble obedience to God's will, readiness to do whatever He calls us to do. The amount of faith is not as important as the right kind of faith - faith in our all powerful God. Hence He uses the example of the mustard seed.
Mustard seed is small, almost invisible, but the seed will spread, first underground, then later sprout above the ground. Like a tiny seed, a small amount of genuine faith in God will take root and grow. Although the changes are gradual and imperceptible, soon this faith will have produced major results that will uproot and destroy competing loyalties. We don't need more faith; a tiny seed of faith is enough f it is alive and growing.
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus
Hope that this Lenten season would be a blessing unto you all, and may you have ever growing seeds of faith in your heart for your Almighty and All Knowing and Ever Loving God and Creator, Who was willing to send His beloved Son for you and for me to be crucified for our sins so that we might not perish.
Please do uphold me, a sinful servant in your prayers.
Your Brother
Jobin George
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