Luke 17:1-6
Chapter 17
1
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Scandals will necessarily come and cause people to stumble, but woe to the one who causes them.
2
It would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a millstone around his neck. Truly, this would be better for that person than to cause one of these little ones to fall.
3
Listen carefully: if your brother offends you, tell him, and if he is sorry, forgive him.
4
And if he offends you seven times in one day, but seven times he says to you, ‘I’m sorry,’ forgive him.”
5
The apostles said to the Lord:
“Increase our faith.”
And the Lord said:
6
“If you have faith, even the size of a mustard seed, you may say to this tree, ‘Be uprooted, and plant yourself in the sea!’ and it will obey you.”
Commentaries
Instructions to the Disciples – The Duty of the Disciple.
These three instructions share a common foundation: service to the kingdom, which is only achievable through faith. In serving the kingdom—defined as the pursuit and establishment of a just, supportive, fraternal, and egalitarian society—no one is immune to straying from the path or adopting attitudes contrary to the kingdom’s values. This can cause scandal and discouragement in some, while leading to skepticism and rejection of this new reality in others. In any case, fraternal correction, repentance, and forgiveness must always be practiced.