Opening Verse
You are the light of the world.
A Reading from Matthew 18:6-9
“If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were fastened around your neck and you were drowned in the depth of the sea.
Woe to the world because of stumbling blocks! Occasions for stumbling are bound to come, but woe to the one by whom the stumbling block comes! “If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to enter life maimed or lame than to have two hands or two feet and to be thrown into the eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and to be thrown into the hell of fire.
“If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were fastened around your neck and you were drowned in the depth of the sea.
Woe to the world because of stumbling blocks! Occasions for stumbling are bound to come, but woe to the one by whom the stumbling block comes! “If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to enter life maimed or lame than to have two hands or two feet and to be thrown into the eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and to be thrown into the hell of fire.
Reflection
Jesus now addresses the disciples directly about their personal responsibility for their own actions. Lest they deceive themselves into thinking that all sinful behavior is the result of others causing them to sin, Jesus declares that they must take responsibility for their own tendencies to cause themselves to sin. Similar to the hyperbole in the SM (5:29-30), Jesus indicates that cutting off one’s hand or foot or plucking out one’s eye in this life (18:8-9) is no comparison to the eternal judgment destined for allowing the passions of one’s own life to lead one into sin. Jesus is not advocating physical self-mutilation, but through dramatic figures of speech he indicates the rigorous self-discipline needed for committed disciples.”
“ ‘Little ones’ does not only mean children, but those who humble themselves like children as Jesus described. It is a wicked thing to sin, and it is a far greater evil to lead others into sin."
What kind of excuses have I been making towards resilient sin issues in my life? How has this affected others?
What kind of drastic measures am I called to take to deal with sins in my life? What should be my motivation?
What kind of drastic measures am I called to take to deal with sins in my life? What should be my motivation?
Prayer
O God, source of our light, you are ever with us to reveal the way of truth and justice. Be with us this day as we face the reality of our sinful imperfections. May we restrain our tendency to ignore or take advantage of the weak and, by our example,, to cause others to stumble. Rather, may we servants to those who need us the most. We ask this in the name of Jesus, our way, our truth, our life. Amen.
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