Jesus says, "if you had faith the size of a mustrad seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea' and it would obey you."
One can read this passage and take it as a challenge: let's see what we can accomplish with our faith. For a myriad of reasons, I think that is a problematic reading of Jesus' words. So, I have chosen to focus on those things within the Christian tradition that require a mustard seed of faith. These are teachings which cannot be proven and without faith will appear nonsensical. Once we trust these things, we have a foundation for a life of trust.
Here's the toughest: Absolution.
As a part of the Christian Church, how often have you heard these words "In Christ's name, and not by any human authority, I forgive you all your sins."? In the Lutheran tradition they are a portion of almost every worship service. In the Roman Catholic tradition, a penitent can seek sacramental absolution through the Rite of Reconciliation.
As followers of Jesus who is reported to have said, "Father forgive them for they know not what they do" we have come to understand the central place of Forgiveness in the coming of God's kingdom. However, believing that we are forgiven is another matter entirely.
For many, this is pronouncement of forgiveness is almost too much to believe. With differing amounts of sincerity, we stand before the cross of Christ and confess some thing that has broken our relationship with God or with our fellow human being. We clearly state the case as we understand it and most of the time we have every intention of turning away from the kind of behavior that brought us there in the first place. That is, we repent with every intention of amending our lives.
However, believing we are truly forgiven, that the slate is wiped clean, that we can go forth and live in joy in that forgiveness is really difficult. We often believe that we have 'gotten off too easy' that no one, even God could forgive whatever we have done. Often we cannot forgive ourselves for being less than perfect.The little sins don't really need forgiveness and the big sins are unforgivable.
I think we may have lingering doubts about the forgiveness we receive because we are aware of how frequently we are repeat offenders. We have trouble living as forgiven people. Old sins haunt us. The same sins are repeated. The forgiveness we seek we do not offer to others who also seek it. Too often, as we face our final moments of life, we panic and seek assurance again.
Living as God's forgiven people, forgiving and reconciling with one another, living in peace and harmony is a hope beyond our wildest dreams. To believe it, even a little bit, better on some days than others, can shift your whole world.
Just a mustard seed of faith can change everything. That's powerful.
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