Daily Gospel Reflection for November 7, 2016

Today's Gospel: Luke 17, 1-6

This passage struck me as a stern lesson in humility and forgiveness. Jesus is pretty emphatic here with "woe to the person..." He is warning us of getting on our moral high horse and blocking others on their road to faith perhaps by being judgmental and overly pious.

Pope Francis gives us an excellent example of how we are all sinners in need of forgiveness and how we need to reach out to all people in a spirit of openness and welcome. He tells us that "Holiness,like happiness, comes from small gestures."

The apostles were aware they lacked the faith necessary to carry out Jesus' mission for them but they were humble enough and trusted Him enough to ask for His help in increasing it. Too often, we think we can keep all of our balls in the air by ourselves but we are nothing and can accomplish nothing without our heavenly Father.

Ponder:

Is there a way that we are an obstacle to our neighbor's road to faith?

Pray:

Dear Lord, increase my faith so that I may be more aware of the needs of those around me. Help me to realize that I am nothing and can accomplish nothing without your grace.

Copyright 2016 Barbara Miller

Barbara Miller is a general dentist who lives in Marietta, GA with her husband and son.