07 10 07 Give me more faith Luke 17; 5-10, Psalm 37: 1-9 Steve Butler
I had an email correspondence with a woman who was intrigued as to how the adolescent passion of teenage/student religious zeal (an experience we had in common) could have carried on into mid-life commitment. She is nostalgic about her love for Christ - but can't see what difference an irrational religious commitment would make to her life now – after all, in the past it messed her life up for years.
I find it useful and challenging to be asked the question, which is essentially, 'what is the point, what is the meaning of adhering to the Christian faith?' There's something to be said for stopping now and then and being honest in trying to answer that question........ I thought perhaps we might open it to the floor now to see if anyone knows the answer.... :-)
I think this wee exchange between Jesus and the apostles is quite fascinating. Clearly, they are very taken with all that's going on, - very excited by the prospect of being at the heart of something big – as big as it gets – a spiritual and political revolution - and they want more of 'it' – whatever 'it' is. 'Give us more faith, Lord'. The implication of the question is that having faith is quantifiable gift – something that's bestowed upon you, that comes from outside of you, - like an infection, or a virus. In our faith tradition, we're familiar with this notion of the Holy Spirit coming into us from somewhere else and we ask to be filled with it/her – because then we'll know how to live our lives – then we'll exhibit the fruits of the Spirit, be loving, kind, patient etc – then we'll make good decisions – then we'll be inspired and full of wisdom, free of the corruption of this world and all its ways. 'Give us more faith, Lord' – 'I like the sound of all that, I'll have a bit more of that, please'. The question actually being asked is - 'What can you do for me, Jesus?' - and it's the wrong question. We all know that asking God to intervene in our lives is a step of faith. Maybe, and often it's in hindsight, we will have a sense that God has changed us and made things possible – and maybe, we join with the universal throng who have prayed 'til they're blue in the face and have heard, felt and experienced nothing – which is devastatingly hard if you're struggling, or broken or even facing death.
'Give us more faith, Lord'. And Jesus says to them, 'you don't even know what faith is – if you even had the faith of a mustard seed, you could turn the world upside down.... you're making the wrong request'. Instead, Jesus, rather ironically, points to one of the great anathemas of his culture, slavery, and says, 'you're being like a slave who expects to be thanked for what's he's done – that's what you're being like, asking for more faith'.
I had an email correspondence with a woman who was intrigued as to how the adolescent passion of teenage/student religious zeal (an experience we had in common) could have carried on into mid-
I find it useful and challenging to be asked the question, which is essentially, 'what is the point, what is the meaning of adhering to the Christian faith?' There's something to be said for stopping now and then and being honest in trying to answer that question........ I thought perhaps we might open it to the floor now to see if anyone knows the answer.... :-
I think this wee exchange between Jesus and the apostles is quite fascinating. Clearly, they are very taken with all that's going on, -
'Give us more faith, Lord'. And Jesus says to them, 'you don't even know what faith is – if you even had the faith of a mustard seed, you could turn the world upside down.... you're making the wrong request'. Instead, Jesus, rather ironically, points to one of the great anathemas of his culture, slavery, and says, 'you're being like a slave who expects to be thanked for what's he's done – that's what you're being like, asking for more faith'.
'So you also, when you have done all that you were ordered to do, say, 'We are worthless slaves; we have done only what we ought to have done'
i.e. Being faithful is no less than what God expects of us. These are not endearing elements of Jesus' teaching. 'Give us more faith, Lord' is the wrong request. The right question is 'what can I do for you, Lord?'.
This verse might have been Cranmer's inspiration for that bit in the old prayer book confession, which always used to make me chuckle – it's the opening prayer the Daily Service of Morning Prayer:
We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts, we have offended against thy holy laws, We have left undone those things which we ought to have done. And we have done those things which we ought not to have done.
...... so wonderfully English, so understated. I can't help feeling it should be slightly extended, -
So maybe the Psalmist can give us some good advice, today. ‘Trust in God’ – if we're attracted to way of Christ, like the disciples were, then he says 'trust that this is the way to go – get on with it – and live faithfully' – 'do good' as he so so deceptively simply puts it.... More a case of 'What can I do for you, God?'
'Don't be envious' or angry about those who don't bother about the way of Christ – be cool. 'Wait on God' – spend a lifetime listening and feeling for the song that the Spirit of love and compassion is singing, and try to sing along –
'Delight in the Lord' – feel for where the Spirit touches you at your innermost core – where your desires are – those passions and gifts that define who you really are (Cranmer obviously didn't take this Psalm seriously enough). 'Be committed' (vs 5) – unfashionable advice. UK National Statistics Office published trends for the last 10 years to show that co-
Christian/church commitment? I have no desire to turn anyone into a churchgoer – We all know that churchgoing isn't a measure of faithfulness – it always makes me cringe when I hear someone say,'well, I'm not a churchgoer'. I think it's really important that the barriers between in and out of the church are breaking down, and that you don't have to be a 'member' or be confirmed, or have to qualify to be part of the worshipping community, and that all are welcome at the Lord's table.......
However (and I'm choosing my words carefully) if making space to stop once a week and pray and think and take bread and wine is only something to do when it's convenient, then I'm beginning to worry that I'm in danger of encouraging a faith that doesn't demand commitment – something that Christ talked about, again and again – so much so, that commitment in life, and love and work – is something that should be one of the hallmarks of a Christian person? -
'Give me more faith, Lord'. Jesus said (elsewhere), 'seek ye first the kingdom of God (ie get on with it), and then all these things', (the fruits of the Spirit, the peace and inspiration of the Spirit, a purposeful life, the promise of eternity) – then, all these things will be added unto you.