The Smell of Sin

Sunday, 29 September 2024. Readings: Numbers 11:25-29, Ps. 19:8,10,12-14, James 5:1-6, Mark 9:38-43,45,47-48

“And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.” (Mark 9:43-48)

Last Sunday, Jesus’ disciples argued about who was the greatest. Jesus, taking a little child in their midst, said: “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” (Mark 9:35). In other words, the key to true greatness is humility and service. Today, Jesus again refers to children. This time, Jesus warns his disciples against leading a little child to sin, saying: “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung round his neck and he were thrown into the sea.” (Mark 9:42)

Dear friends, sin is a very serious matter. By using these graphic images, Jesus wants us to feel the gravity of what sin does to us and perceive the smell of sin. We will not summon the courage to avoid sin if we do not hate sin. We live in a dark world that has not only lost the smell of sin but also attempts to normalise this odour. Our readings today mention different types of sin that we must avoid.

1. The Sin of Envy
Why did the disciples of Jesus try to stop a man from casting out demons in the name of Jesus? Could it be because they could not cast out demons? Today’s Gospel passage comes from Mark 9, verses 38 to 48. If we go up a bit to verse 15 of this same Mark chapter 9, you will see how a demon practically embarrassed the disciples of Jesus. A man brought his boy to them, but they could not cast out the demon, and when Jesus came, he was ashamed of them, saying, “O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you?” (Mark 9:19).

Envy is a smelling sin; it fuels the pull-him-down syndrome we see everywhere. Envy blinds us to the Infinite Power of God, which is unrestricted and unlimited to any person, camp, or group. By criticising others who act in God’s name, we not only contribute to the scandal of division in the Christian faith, but we also act as though we are capable of fighting for God.

God is powerful enough to stop those who use His Name wrongly or as a money-making enterprise. We who consider ourselves genuine should learn to be humble. God can use anybody. Do you remember how the young Samuel, who had not even been ordained, was hearing from God while Eli, the priest, was no longer hearing from God? Imagine Eli attempting to silence Samuel! This is why envy is very bad.

Despite their absence from the ordination ceremony, Eldad and Medad still received the power of prophecy, which shows that God is so powerful that he cannot be bound by distance. Envy limits God in our eyes and prevents us from growing deeper in our faith.

2. The Sin of Exploitation of Workers
Today’s second reading opens our eyes to another sin: the exploitation of workers. Has someone done some work for you, and you haven’t paid the person yet? St. James says, “Behold, the wages of the labourers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. You have lived on the earth in luxury and pleasure; you have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. You have condemned. You have killed the righteous man; he does not resist you.” (James 5:4-6)

Refusing to pay workers’ wages at the right time is worse than stealing. Some time ago, I saw a short movie on social media. A certain rich man had not paid his workers their salaries for months, yet every day, he would shout at them and insult them. One day, his cook served him food. After eating, she told him he had just eaten his last meal because the food was poisoned. He panicked and rushed towards the door to step out of the house, but a gang of armed robbers pushed him inside the house and told him to lie down on the floor. While begging for his life, they asked if he had money in the house, and he nodded in affirmation. The gang leader escorted him upstairs, and he surrendered his bag of foreign currency.

While the man begged not to be killed, the robbers revealed their identity. They were his gardener, his driver and his security guard. The cook revealed that he had not been poisoned, but the whole operation was planned because of his harsh treatment. They returned the bag to him and asked why he had refused to pay their salaries when he had such money in the house. It is understandable when you do not have the money to pay your workers, but refusing to pay them when you have it is wickedness.

3. The Sin of Scandal
Scandal is another deadly, smelling and poisonous sin mentioned in today’s readings. Jesus said: “Whoever causes one of these little ones to sin, it would be better if a great milestone is hung around his neck and thrown into the sea.” (Mark 9:42). Scandal destroys the faith of those entrusted to us. Scandal mocks our moral values. It destroys the spiritual life of those who take us as mentors.

There are two types of scandal: refusing to show kindness to the little ones when it is in our power to do so and doing what is wrong in the presence of little ones. Jesus said: “Whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose his reward.” (Mark 9:41). It is not enough that we avoid evil; we must also be kind enough to give a cup of water to the little ones around us.

Are you a father, a mother, a coach, a teacher, or a minister? Are you a leader in any church organisation? Even if you are in charge of just one person, do you realise that what you do in secret can affect and destroy those under your leadership? Your thinking it is secret does not mean it is secret. As Jesus would say: “Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.” (Luke 12:2). The only way to hide sin is to avoid it in the first place.

Do not assume there are no little ones around you. Whether you like it or not, innocent ones are still in our midst. There are still Christians who have the fear of God and have refused to be part of the darkness that surrounds our world. You may be a role model to someone without knowing it. Be a Christian. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)

4. Sin is Avoidable
By saying we should cut off our hands and feet and pluck our eyes, Jesus wants us to realise that we have power over sin and that the causes of sin are right within us. Stop blaming the devil for your sinful actions. It is what is inside you, not what is outside you, that is making you fall into sin.

Jesus is not asking us to cut our bodies physically; rather, he wants us to cut off those bad thoughts, imaginations and desires within us that lead us to sin. “What comes out of a man is what defiles a man. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, fornication, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile a man.” (Mark 7:20-23).

If we want to stop sin, we must avoid the environment for sin. They say a mistake is only a mistake the first time. By the second time, it becomes foolishness. Stop blaming the devil for your sins. Repent today!

Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, open my eyes to see the gravity of every sin so that I may never offend you again. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (26th Sunday in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Numbers 11:25-29, Ps. 19:8,10,12-14, James 5:1-6, Mark 9:38-43,45,47-48).

@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu