Homily
for November 13, 2017.
“Temptations
to sin are sure to come; but woe to him by whom they come! It would be better
for him if a millstone were hung round his neck and he were cast into the sea,
than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin.” Luke 17:1-2
Yesterday,
Jesus gave us the parable of the ten virgins and the five who acted wisely by
taking some extra oil alongside their lamps. Today, Jesus teaches us that it is
not enough that we avoid sin, we must also go the extra mile of ensuring that
we do not become the source of temptation for others.
The sin of
scandal is a very grievous sin; one deserving of a greater punishment than
those who sin as a result of us. When we show bad example, we act like the
Pharisees about whom Jesus said we should do what they say and not what they
do. It can be very disturbing if our actions preach a different message from
our words.
However,
as if to flip things around, Jesus goes further to admonish us to always
forgive. “If your brother sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to
you seven times, and says, ‘I repent’, you must forgive him.” It takes faith to
forgive especially when the person involved does not even come to apologize.
Forgiving others
is not a favour we do for them, it is rather a favour we do to ourselves. Each time
we forgive, we free our very selves from the mental prison of hate, bitterness
and anger. It is a matter of wisdom to forgive as failure to forgive can itself
become a source of scandal to others.
Above all,
as our first reading admonishes us, let us seek wisdom diligently by avoiding
deceit, foolish thoughts, sinful acts and all forms of unrighteousness.
Let us pray:
Lord Jesus, give me wisdom that I may never lead others astray. Amen.
Be Happy.
Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Monday of the
32nd Week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Wisdom 1:1-7 and Luke 17:1-6).
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