How is it that ‘faith’ has come to
mean believing something unwarranted, as though faith is intellectual
acceptance of a proposition with no proof? This kind of view tends toward
seeing faith as irrational. But faith is not groundless. Faith might look at
the world differently than those without faith, but that doesn’t make faith
groundless. I find Christian faith more rational than atheism. Not only does faith
allow me to put reality together differently, it also allows me to have a
greater, broader, and deeper view of reality. Faith, in the best sense of the
word, is entirely rational. In my opinion, those who think otherwise have
shortened their reality.
The other strange thing that has happened to faith is its reduction
down to intellectual assent. Human intellect is a beautiful thing, and faith
includes intellectual assent, but faith is more than intellectual assent. Take
today’s reading about faith (the size of a mustard seed). The disciples aren’t
asking for an increase in assent of intellectual propositions. Faith includes
the mind, but also the heart; and it includes hope, and love, gracefulness,
joy, peace, self-restraint, and duty. I think of faith as more like a way of
being human: seeking to become the image of Jesus.
Immediately preceding Luke 17:5-10 (verses 1-4) Jesus tells the disciples that there will be
interpersonal trouble in their community, so beware. (vv. 1-3) And, if in this
trouble amongst us, another disciple offends us, we can rebuke that person. And
if that person repents, we must forgive. Even seven times daily, we must
forgive. (vv. 3-4). And it is then, after this teaching from Jesus, that the
apostles ask Jesus to increase their faith. Is this a response to the command
to forgive rather than an unrelated saying of Jesus on a new topic of teaching?
My reaction to the teaching of Jesus about forgiveness is to feel inadequate to
the task. So, it is not that far a stretch to think that the disciples are
asking for an increase in faith so as to be able to forgive their brothers and
sisters in Christ. Faith is more than intellectual assent. It also about having
the strength, humility, and grace to forgive consistently.
And what are we to make of Jesus’ response to the request of
an increase in faith? “If you had faith the size of a mustard seed …” Is his response to be read as affirming that,
although the disciples’ faith is minute, it is ample to obey his command to
forgive? Probably. Or is Jesus agreeing that the disciples don’t have the faith
to forgive others as he commands? (They don’t even have faith the size of a
mustard seed!) That is, they do indeed need an increase of faith. Possibly. If we
read Jesus’ answer this way, it points beyond the disciples’ current lack of
faith to a time when they and their faith will transform them and the world
around. And that transformation will come via the cross and resurrection of
Jesus.
Either way, the narrative continues in our reading to the
teaching about slaves and their master. What should we make of this? It is
almost like Jesus is telling his disciples not to be puffed up with pride when
their faith is able to do great things. “If you do end up doing extraordinary
things through your faith, don’t expect a reward. You are doing what is
expected of you.” In other words, faith is not our doing, something we can take
credit for and should be rewarded for by God. Faith, even the size of a mustard
seed, is a gift, and as a gift we use it as our master directs.
And finally, the narrative continues on with the story of
Jesus healing ten lepers. Of the ten, only one returns to give thanks, and he
was a Samaritan. There is, perhaps, a thread of meaning appearing in these
consecutive chunks in the story of Jesus. It could go something like this:
Luke 17:1-3
Beware of trouble in the community of faith.
Luke 17:3-4
And remember, forgiveness, even excessive forgiveness is the
way of discipleship.
Luke 17:5-6
The disciples: “We need more faith to do that Jesus!”
Luke 17:7-10
And when our faith does transform and change the world,
don’t expect a greater reward as though God owes you something. Faith is a
gift, not a possession.
Luke 17: 11-19
A better response when we find ourselves with
faith, or are the recipients of the transformation of faith, be thankful.