Proper 22 (27) – Year C

Welcome to the Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost. This week’s Gospel begins with a desperate plea from the disciples: “Increase our faith!” No wonder. Just before this, Jesus tells them forgiveness must flow seven times in a single day. Elsewhere he says seventy times seven. Whoa! Who can forgive like that?

At first glance, Jesus seems to belittle their concerns. He tells them faith the size of a mustard seed is enough. Then he compares them to servants who are only doing their duty. It sounds harsh, but listen closely and you hear something more akin to a pep talk: “Friends, this is possible. It’s not nearly as extraordinary as it seems. You can do this!”

Jesus is helping his disciples discover something about the nature of God (God forgives 70×7) and the nature of humanity (we become human by forgiving one another). He’s inducting the disciples into their own humanity, and as with all induction processes, it seems impossible at first.

Think of something that once felt out of reach: walking, riding a bike, raising a child, even surviving the death of a loved one or forgiving your enemy. The normative pattern of becoming human is that, over time and with some practice (and most importantly, with someone to show us that it’s possible), the impossible becomes possible — even quite ordinary. It’s as if Jesus is saying to his disciples, “I am breathing the Spirit of forgiveness into you, and you will do the impossible.”

Finally, Jesus casts the disciples in the role of “worthless servants.” It’s difficult but important language. Jesus is not demeaning the disciples; he is preparing them for what’s ahead. Jesus is the rejected one, who is seen as worthless. Even so, he forgives. He is the forgiving victim who ends the cycle of violence and gives birth to a community who can do the same. Wow. Lord, increase our faith.