Gospel: Luke 17:5-10
Context. We continue Jesus’ long
journey to Jerusalem (9:51-19:48; Wks 13-31), and wrap up the section of it
which is an extended response to the question “who will be saved?” (13:10-17:10; Wks 21-27). He is concerned to form community and set
boundaries, but in a completely topsy-turvy way that will confound any sense of
privilege.
Interpretation. This section is concerned with
what faith is, and what someone with faith expects from God. The apostles ask for faith from Jesus, showing
that they have accepted him as Lord.
Still though, that is small faith (smaller than a mustard seed – the Greek
conditional is of the ‘unreal’ kind). If
faith is what humans do in response to a God who self-reveals, our efforts will
also seem small compared to His abundant gifts.
Obedience (which is ultimately about turning to God) does not gain honor
and the truly faithful don’t expect it: they know God as one who humbled
himself and embrace that reality.
Masters are never in debt to their slaves and so God is not to us: grace
is wholly gratuitous!
2nd
Reading: 2 Tim 1:6-8, 13-14
Context. Second
Timothy is one of what are called the “Pastoral Epistles” (the term, as far as
I know, was coined by Aquinas). They are
presented as letters from Paul to individual church leaders, in this case,
Timothy. Many scholars think they are
the product of a Pauline school, writing in the name of their founder as a mark
of respect (much like how church documents are ghost-written today). Regardless of the circumstances of their
composition, they are concerned with the continuation of the Church beyond
initial proclamation to more settled institution. Timothy is the only person mentioned in the
Bible whose grandmother was a Christian.
The pastorals share a common basic message: hold fast to sound teaching,
and you will live a worthy life, though with hardship; good order, structure
and hierarchy are needed in the Church; keep on converting people, and look
attractive to outsiders in order to do this.
Interpretation. This is the first
exhortation in the letter, in which Paul exhorts Timothy to follow his
example. Fire is an image for the gifts
of the Spirit: they are a means by which God works in the world. Timothy has inherited Paul’s gifts, passed on
through the laying on of hands (like Moses to Joshua). Love stands in the center of the gifts,
expressed through courage in prudence.
Timothy should not be ashamed of the imprisonment both Jesus and Paul
suffered (a risk when evangelizing people scandalized by this). Instead, he should regard his own suffering
as joined with Christ’s. Timothy’s task
is to hand on the teaching he has received.
The Spirit will help him do this.
The teaching is grounded in loving fidelity to Jesus Christ.
Questions
1.
What associations do you have with fire? What does this image tell us about God’s
gifts to us?
2.
Why does love need courage and prudence as ‘handmaidens’?
3.
How was Jesus’ faith and love expressed? What does it look like to reciprocate that?
4.
Does Church teaching help build us up in faith
and love? How? Any struggles?
5.
If faith is our response to a God who
self-reveals, how has God self-revealed to you?
What is your image of God? What
are some ways for us to respond to that?
6.
Two key concepts that come up in both readings
are faith and gift. God gives, we
respond in faith. Ultimately, even faith
is a gift. What practices can we engage
in that open us to God’s gifts and help God build us up in faith?
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