MONDAY NOVEMBER 13, 2023
MONDAY OF THE THIRTY SECOND WEEK OF THE ORDINARY TIME A
Wisdom 1:1-7
Luke 17:1-6
NEVER BE SOURCE OF SCANDAL OR TEMPTATION TO OTHERS
Our world is becoming complex, filled with every type and kinds of people with their different idiosyncrasies, lifestyles, habits, moral preferences with added moral decadence and laxity. We are confronted also with very disturbing attitudes of people which pinches on our minds and tends to set us uneasy, sometimes inviting our human tendencies of anger, resentment, or jealousy and envy. Many incite us to become hostile, unaccommodating, intolerant and spiteful.
In the Midst of all these, the gospel passage of today cautions us to be careful so that we do not become the cause and source of scandals to the world. Because the idea of the maxis “join them if you cannot beat them” may arise. Or the whole scenario we confront daily may incite us to adopt one of the many human inclinations that may be inimical to the faith and life we profess, without noticing that our chosen path may be causes or sources of scandal to others who look up to us.
Be not source or cause of scandal is the warning of Christ to us today. Jesus tells us to avoid being the cause or source of the fall of the little ones in faith in our lives. It could be by seeing us and imitating us, or by loosing faith because of our lifestyle and attitudes, it could be done directly by leading them astray and away from God by our attitude, teachings, words and habits. We could even be leading them astray by our bad life and moral laxity and decadence. We must watch it and try never to be the cause of people falling in faith, derailing in morals, loosing trust and hope in God.
The consequences of being a source or cause of the fall of those little ones is very grave and unbearable. It is worse than even personal sins. We must heed the admonition of our Lord and check ourselves seriously to avoid giving room for people especially the weak ones in our lives to stray away from the faith.
Particularly, Jesus cautions us to be the example that others will following and he pointed to one particular area in our lives. The need to be forgiving to all who offend us is one area that may give offense to God. We must forgive others who offend us either knowingly or unknowingly. Administering forgiveness to people who trample on our rights is godly, necessary, and a good way to show the love of God. And Jesus tells us to show our faith in action, in daily life situations and not just in going to Church.
For Jesus we are capable of doing anything . We can forgive, if we wish and want to. There is no sin or fault that we cannot help others. And we are equally capable of living well and doing all to avoid scandal to the little faith of others. Let us then try, trust and put our faith in practice to live as we are called to.
God our Father, in all our trespasses you always forgive, absolve and remit our sins. Help us to offer same forgiveness to all who sin against us. Grant us the docile spirit and humble forgiving heart. May we never be cause of scandals to any in our journey of life. Rather, make us strong comfort, and link to lift people up, show them the right way and lead them always to you through Christ our Lord.
FR Norbert Uchuno
