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THE DISCIPLES’ REQUEST - "Increase our faith = add faith to
us; the meaning could suggest, "add more faith to what we already have," or
"add faith to the others gifts that we have received." [1]
FAITH AND FAITHFULNESS - Possible reason for the connection of the topic of faith
(17:5-6) with that of servanthood (17:7-11):
[ Jesus warns ] "you will never, even with
increased faith, move above the role of servant whose obedience is co-extensive with life
itself; there is no such thing as above and beyond service and duty." Jesus’
response, then, is not a reprimand for an absence of faith but an affirmation of the faith
they have and an invitation to live out the full possibilities of that faith . . . faith
lays hold of God with whom nothing is impossible, and it is God who empowers the life of
discipleship . . . [2]
A PRAYER FOR SERVICE - Give us, O Lord, a steadfast heart,
which no unworthy affection may drag downwards; give us an unconquered heart, which no
tribulation can wear out; give us an upright heart, which no unworthy purpose may tempt
aside. Bestow upon us also, O Lord our God, understanding to know you, diligence to seek
you, wisdom to find you and a faithfulness that may finally embrace you; through Jesus
Christ our Lord.
St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)
connections
In this lesson we hear of faith and servanthood as qualities of
discipleship. Which of the two do you have the most difficulty with? How might dealing
with this affect the other quality?
Increase our faith! That’s what the disciples requested of Jesus in this lesson.
In what way does your faith need improvement or growth? ___Envisioning God working in your
life right now? ___Child-like trust on a day to day, activity to activity moment?
___Actions that are in alignment with the faith we embrace?
gambits
This passage should be read and listened to in light of world
communion Sunday which occurs on this day. Doesn’t it seem like we are being given a
blank check drawn from the bank of heaven and asked to fill in the amount on whatever we
choose? Might there be any connection in Luke’s composition between the word about
faith and what immediately follows? What could "increase our faith" and the
parable about serving have in common? How might this passage if for an hour we could have
all the faith in the world be the greatest and worst power to have in our hands?
Quote-"We are all equally privileged, but untitled beggars at the door of
God’s mercy." [3]
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[1]The Anchor Bible: The Gospel According to Luke X-XXIV, Joseph A. Fitzmyer
(Garden City, New York, 1985), p. 1140.
[2] Interpretation Series: Luke (Louisville: John Knox Press, 1990), p. 198.
[3] Brennan Manning, The Ragamuffin Gospel (Portland: Multnomah Press, 1990), p. 23.
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