Faith Daily | 7November 2022

PRAYER of the DAY - APBA p

Blessed God,

you have caused all holy Scriptures to be written

for our learning:

grant that we may so hear them,

read, mark, learn and inwardly digest them,

that, by patience and the comfort of your holy word,

we may embrace and ever hold fast

the blessed hope of everlasting life,

which you have given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ.

Amen.

GOSPEL for the Day: Luke 17: 1-6

Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Occasions for stumbling are bound to come, but woe to anyone by whom they come! 2It would be better for you if a millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea than for you to cause one of these little ones to stumble. 3Be on your guard! If another disciple sins, you must rebuke the offender, and if there is repentance, you must forgive. 4And if the same person sins against you seven times a day, and turns back to you seven times and says, “I repent”, you must forgive.’

5 The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith!’ 6The Lord replied, ‘If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, “Be uprooted and planted in the sea”, and it would obey you.

GOSPEL REFLECTION: Sonja Shipard

I am so comforted by Jesus's words in these verses for he is telling us that despite our best efforts to lead a good life, we will stumble. But he warns us here of the great damage we do if we are responsible for causing others to stumble. Perhaps if we can come to terms with our own stumbling ways, then maybe there will be more compassion in our hearts for our equally fragile neighbours.

' Lord, increase our faith! ' What a beautiful prayer, one that can accompany us throughout our lives. Jesus's response fills us with consolation, a very small amount of faith is enough, it will work wonders. Let's not spend too much time worrying about how strong or how deep our faith is. Thank the Lord for the great gift of faith.

FINAL PRAYER APBA p590

O God,

your Son has taught us

that we must receive your sovereign rule like a little child:

help us to turn to you in faith and simplicity of heart,

so that we may receive your blessing

and enter the kingdom your Son has promised;

through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.