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Gospel: 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.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
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“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.”
That’s an incredible statement. Mulberry trees are tall and thick with deep roots.
How can something so small uproot something so large?
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Faith derives its power from God.
Through Jesus, we can uproot any “tree” in our lives – anything that is deeply rooted and bothersome – not by our own strength, but by his.
What are the “trees” in my life? What feels difficult to overcome?
It may be a grudge that’s captured our heart; a deeply rooted addiction; a thought or feeling that doesn’t go away.
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By the power of God, that tree can be uprooted and cast into the sea.
But first we must believe.
So, we cry out with the Apostles, “Lord, increase our faith.”
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Image credits: (1) COP Orthodox, Pinterest (2) Charisma Magazine (3) Van Gogh