Word to the Wise
Monday, November 13, 2023 - Monday in the 32th Week in Ordinary Time
[Wis 1:1-7 and Luke 17:1-6]"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." [Luke]
NOVEMBER 13 ST. FRANCIS XAVIER CABRINI
Jesus' way of preaching with images and parables was not unusual for his time. Nor is it for ours. The use of exaggeration to make a point is a common rhetorical tool. Millstones, multiplication, and tiny v. huge are examples that appear in today's gospel scripture. The evangelist Luke has grouped sayings of Jesus at this point as a way of driving home themes of Jesus' teachings.
Good example is crucial. Jesus warns against conduct that could lead others to sin. Forgiveness and patience will be demanded of a disciple. [Cf also Matthew 18:15-35] Faith in God's power to accomplish great things through us is absolutely needed. I often hear folks say, "I wish I had more faith." "More" is already there but needs to be put to greater use.
To be a disciple of Jesus requires effort. We can allow ourselves to be satisfied with getting to church and sacraments to a certain extent and forget that what happens outside those important observances is important too. What we do inside the church has to be reflected by what we do outside. That holy water font we touch on the way out is a reminder of our baptismal commitment to be "missionary disciples." One look at a millstone ought to be enough to convince us! AMEN
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