ACC ~ Luke 17 v1 - 10

OVERVIEW:

The meaning of “stumbling block” is any impediment that might keep a believer from confessing that Jesus is the stumbling block. This impediment may be a temptation to sin or the sins that individuals commit against one another that are in need of forgiveness, as the context seems to indicate (CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA). The scandal may also be connected to the passion of Christ (PETER CHRYSOLOGUS). In either case, scandal is sin because it causes offense (JEROME). How appropriate that Jesus would follow the parable about the rich man with words about mercy (AMBROSE). To forgive your brother seven times is to bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ [1] (CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA).

The apostles’ request for an increase in faith is to ask for strength by the Holy Spirit. Such faith was given them after Jesus’ resurrection (CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA). The mustard seed signifies the great inner strength of faith in the church (AUGUSTINE). The apostles should be more mindful of their slave relationship to their Lord than of the powers they might manifest through faith (AMBROSE). Seeking glory through one’s faith empties that faith of its benefits and renders unprofitable the servants of the Lord (CHRYSOSTOM).

[1] Gal 6:2.

17:1-2 | Those Who Create Stumbling Blocks

WOE TO THOSE WHO PLACE TEMPTATIONS IN THE PATH

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: The accompanying discussion that immediately follows these opening remarks and speaks of our pardoning our brothers and sisters in case they ever sin against us leads us to the idea that these were the offenses meant. What are these offenses? They are, I suppose, mean and annoying actions, fits of anger whether on good grounds or without justification, insults, slander, and other stumbling blocks similar to these. He says that these temptations must come. Is this then because God, who governs all, forces people to their commission of sin? Away with the thought! Nothing that is evil comes from him. He is the fountain of all virtue. Why then must this happen? They clearly happen because of our infirmity, for all of us stumble in many things, as it is written. [1] Nevertheless he says that there will be woe to the person who lays the stumbling blocks in the way. He does not leave indifference in these things without rebuke but restrains it by fear of punishment. He still commands us to bear with patience those who cause sins to happen. COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILIES 113-16. [2]

[1] Jas 3:2.

[2] CGSL 461-62**.

THE SCANDAL HERE IS THE PASSION OF CHRIST

PETER CHRYSOLOGUS: Hear the Lord saying, “Woe to the world because of scandals!” A scandal tempts the saints, fatigues the cautious, throws down the incautious, disturbs all things and confuses all people. It is true that in this present passage the Lord is talking about the scandal of his passion. SERMON 27. [1]

[1] FC 17:74*.

TEMPTATIONS ARE SINS TO COME

JEROME: “It is impossible,” he says, “that scandals should not come.” I suppose that a scandal is a sin because sin comes through scandal. “In many things we all offend.” [1] Granted that I have not come to ruin, but I have certainly offended not only in one thing but also in many things. AGAINST THE PELAGIANS 2.15. [2]

[1] Jas 3:2.

[2] FC 53: 319**.

17:3-4 | Forgive Those Who Repent

JESUS FOLLOWS THE PARABLE WITH WORDS OF MERCY

AMBROSE: “If your brother sins against you, reprove him.” After the parable of the rich man who was tortured in punishment, how fittingly he added the command of showing mercy to those indeed who repent of their error, for fear that despair might not recall someone from guilt! He is truly moderate, so that pardon is not difficult or leniency lax, fearing that harsh reproof might cast someone down or conspiracy might invite guilt! … He fittingly said, “If your brother sins against you,” for it is not an equal condition to sin against people and against God. [1] The apostle, who is a true interpreter of the divine prophecy, says, “After the first admonition, avoid a person that is a heretic,” [2] because unbelief is not on a par with minor transgression. Since error very often surprises someone through ignorance, he commands that it should be rebuked, so that stubbornness is shunned and a mistake is corrected. EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 8.21-22. [3]

[1] 1 Sam 2:25.

[2] Tit 3:10.

[3] EHG 338-39**.

TO FORGIVE SEVEN TIMES

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: He says, “If he who sins against you repents and acknowledges his fault, you shall forgive him not only once, but very many times.” We … must rather imitate those whose business it is to heal our bodily diseases and who do not care for a sick person once only or twice, but just as often as he happens to become ill. Let us remember that we also are liable to infirmities and overpowered by our passions. This being the case, we pray that those who have the duty to rebuke us and who have the authority to punish us may show themselves forgiving and kind to us. It is our duty, having a common feeling for our mutual infirmities, to bear one another’s burdens, so we will fulfill the law of Christ. [1] Observe also that in the Gospel according to Matthew, Peter makes the inquiry, “How often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him?” [2] The Lord then tells the apostles, “Although he sins seven times in the day,” that is, frequently, “and will acknowledge his fault, you shall forgive him.” COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILIES 113-16. [3]

[1] Gal 6:2.

[2] Mt 18:21.

[3] CGSL 462**.

17:5-6 | Doing Great Things by Faith

TO INCREASE FAITH IS TO STRENGTHEN IT BY THE HOLY SPIRIT

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: They ask, “Add faith to us.” They do not ask simply for faith, for perhaps you might imagine them to be without faith. They rather ask Christ for an addition to their faith and to be strengthened in faith. Faith partly depends on us and partly is the gift of the divine grace. The beginning of faith depends on us and our maintaining confidence and faith in God with all our power. The confirmation and strength necessary for this comes from the divine grace. For that reason, since all things are possible with God, the Lord says that all things are possible for him who believes. [1] The power that comes to us through faith is of God. Knowing this, blessed Paul also says in the first epistle to the Corinthians, “For to one is given through the Spirit the word of wisdom, to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit, and to another faith in the same Spirit.” [2] You see that he has placed faith also in the catalogue of spiritual graces. The disciples requested that they might receive this from the Savior, contributing also what was of themselves. By the descent upon them of the Holy Spirit, he granted it to them after the fulfillment of the dispensation. Before the resurrection, their faith was so feeble that they were liable even to the charge of being “little of faith.” COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILIES 113-16. [3]

[1] Mk 9:23.

[2] 1 Cor 12:8.

[3] CGSL 462-63**.

THE GREAT FAITH OF THE CHURCH

AUGUSTINE: A mustard seed looks small. Nothing is less noteworthy to the sight, but nothing is stronger to the taste. What does that signify but the very great fervor and inner strength of faith in the church? SERMON 246.3. [1]

[1] WSA 3 7:104*.

17:7-10 | An Apostle Is a Humble Slave

THE FAITHFUL ARE CALLED TO HUMBLE SERVICE

AMBROSE: You do not say to your servant, “Sit down,” but require more service from him and do not thank him. The Lord also does not allow only one work or labor for you, because so long as we live we must always work.

Know that you are a servant overwhelmed by very much obedience. You must not set yourself first, because you are called a son of God. Grace must be acknowledged, but nature not overlooked. Do not boast of yourself if you have served well, as you should have done. The sun obeys, the moon complies, [1] and the angels serve. … Let us not require praise from ourselves nor prevent the judgment of God and anticipate the sentence of the Judge but reserve it for its own time and Judge. EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 8.31-32. [2]

[1] Josh 10:12-13; Let Jer 60.

[2] EHG 342-43**.

PURSUIT OF HUMAN GLORY

CHRYSOSTOM: He said, “When you have done everything, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants,’” to warn them in his wish that they keep themselves at great distance from that destructive passion. Dearly beloved, see how the person with his mouth open for human glory and performing the works of virtue on that account has no benefit from it. Despite practicing every example of virtue, if he seems to give himself credit for it, he ends up empty-handed and bereaved of everything. HOMILY ON GENESIS 31.4. [1]

[1] FC 82:239-40**.