Saint Martin Of Tours, Bishop 

Titus 1:1-9
Psalm 23(24):1-6
Luke 17:1-6

THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS IN OUR MIDST

The Gospel for today commences with a millstone and concludes with a mulberry tree, encompassing a journey that begins with the sea and finishes with the sea. It traverses themes of scandal and ultimately culminates in seed. The message of Luke’s Gospel, therefore, spans the significant transition from sin to salvation within six succinct passages.

In an earlier parable featuring the wealthy individual who disregarded the impoverished Lazarus at his gate, Jesus sheds light on how one’s conduct and moral failings may lead others to overlook the plight of the poor. The term “sin,” derived from the original Greek word skandalon, refers to a moral stumbling block.

Jesus warns of the grave consequences for those who cause the “little ones” to stumble, referring to the vulnerable in faith or those who are new to the faith. Such individuals bear a heavy burden, as it would be preferable for a millstone to be fastened around their neck and for them to be cast into the sea.

Conversely, when someone who has wronged or harmed us seeks forgiveness, we are instructed to extend that forgiveness, even if they offend us multiple times within a single day—essentially calling for an ongoing practice of forgiveness.

This presents a formidable challenge for Jesus’s disciples, as well as for us in contemporary society. The disciples expressed doubt regarding their ability to offer such extraordinary forgiveness, prompting them to request an increase in their faith to confront this significant challenge.

In response, Jesus reassures them that even faith the size of a minuscule mustard seed is sufficient to meet this challenge, enabling one to forgive repeatedly. Such faith empowers individuals to command a deeply rooted mulberry bush to be uprooted and transplanted into the sea. While this may appear to be an unattainable task, faith can accomplish what seems impossible.

Jesus emphasizes that the requisite faith pertains more to the qualitative nature of one’s belief rather than the quantity of faith possessed. A modest amount of profound faith can achieve remarkable outcomes, including the ability to forgive grievous offenses committed by others.

Our limited faith in a profoundly loving and forgiving deity can lead to significant accomplishments.

The concept of the kingdom of God is still present within our midst. Individuals seeking eternal life must engage in preparation and strive to lead virtuous lives. An illustration of this is Martin, a soldier who selflessly offered his cloak to a beggar.

Leading a virtuous life often entails making sacrifices and enduring hardships and persecution for adhering to moral principles. It requires resistance against the negative trends of society.

The allure of the material world consistently presents itself as a pathway to happiness. Many individuals pursue material possessions, often at the expense of their honor and dignity. However, upon acquiring such possessions, they often realize that true happiness does not reside within them. Consequently, they continue to seek fleeting joy and satisfaction in life.

A significant misjudgment made by some is the conflation of joy and satisfaction with material possessions. As stated by the psalmist, a wealthy individual may lack wisdom, likened to a beast destined for destruction.

Genuine joy, satisfaction, and peace of mind can solely be attained through a relationship with God. What sacrifices are you willing to make to discover this deeper connection with the divine?

Fr Joseph Osho