137. Various Teachings to the Disciples. Lk. 17:1–10

He said also to his disciples: It is impossible but that offences will come; but woe to him through whom they come! It would be better for him if a millstone were fastened about his neck and he were cast into the sea, than that he should cause one of these little ones to stumble.

Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, and says, I repent, you shall forgive him.

The Apostles said to the Lord: Increase our faith! And the Lord said: If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this sycamine tree, Be rooted up, and be planted in the sea, and it would obey you.

Which of you, having a servant plowing or keeping sheep, will say to him when he comes in from the field, Come at once and sit at table? Will he not rather say to him: Prepare something for me to eat, and gird yourself and serve me while I eat and drink; and afterward you shall eat and drink? Does he thank that servant because he did what was commanded? I think not. So you likewise, when you have done all that is commanded you, say: We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.