Of Seeds and Servants and Faith

This is another one of Luke’s confusing, even troubling, gospels… made even more troubling by linking two apparently unconnected parables into one confusing narrative. To begin, the disciples make what seems a perfectly reasonable request: Give us more faith! And Jesus gives them a stinging reply. We can sympathize with their confusion. For chapter after chapter of Luke, Jesus has been challenging them to embrace some pretty radical concepts. This Nazarene, this journeyman carpenter tells them that he and the Father are one; that they must change their hearts or perish; that love of God and neighbor supersedes sacred ritual; that they cannot serve God and wealth; that they must forgive and forgive again… and on and on… one tough nut after another. No wonder they ask: Give us more faith!