The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” He replied, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you. – Luke 17:5-6

Today’s Scripture Reading (September 22, 2014): Luke 17

The National Football League continues its public relations nightmare with regard to the behavior of its players. Jonathan Dwyer, the running back for the Arizona Cardinals, is the latest of a rash of elite players (including Ray Rice, Greg Hardy and Ray MacDonald – as well as Adrian Peterson who has been accused of child endangerment and abuse) who have been formally charged, and in the case of Greg Hardy convicted, with domestic violence allegations. The League has almost universally been seen as being morally weak in its handling of the Ray Rice case, but the jury is still out on how they plan to handle the rest of the players. In any case, it is quite possible that some of the best players in the league will not see action for a major portion of, and possibly even the rest of, this season.

The NFL may have been indecisive at instituting punishment in the cases presented already this season (the Ray Rice controversy might be the most public failure, although the Greg Hardy case might be actually the most serious error because he was actually convicted of the crime and yet seemed to have escaped league discipline), but the existence of the players personal code of conduct would seem to indicate that the league has faith that the players can do better. What the league is asking is not too much (many would argue that it might be too little) but the beleaguered League office has moved beyond a need for faith. What is needed now is that the players themselves begin to take the code and the public image of the NFL seriously, and begin to simply follow the code – even when they think that no one is watching.

The disciples have just learned of another element of the code of conduct that Jesus held for his followers, this time regarding forgiveness. And in the eyes of the disciples, the expectation was simply too much. No one could be expected to forgive as often as Jesus suggested. So the disciples make the request – “Increase our faith,” give us the ability to carry out what it is that you need us to do.  

But Jesus seemed to disagree. What was needed was not more faith. If the disciples were willing to step out and act, then even the impossible could be accomplished. The disciples already had more than enough faith. Now was the time to simply do.

And this is all that the NFL is asking of its players. The time for words and faith is over. Now is the time for the players to step up and do. The NFL embarrassment has to end, and the players have the power to do exactly that.

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: John 11