Don't Cause Anyone to Sin
Today, Jesus speaks of three forces at work in our lives - the power of the temptation to sin and cause harm, the power of forgiveness for harmonious living together in the community, and lastly the power of faith to overcome obstacles and difficulties that stand in the way of loving God and our neighbor.
Looking at the force that makes us cause others to sin, scripture warns us that such a person who causes one to sin, it is better he should be tied with a millstone in the chest and thrown into the sea. The Greek word for temptation (scandalon) is the same as the English word scandal. The original meaning of scandal is a trap or a stumbling block which causes one to trip and fall. The Jews held that it was an unforgivable sin to teach another to sin. If we teach another to sin, he or she in turn may teach still another, until a train of sin is set in motion with no foreseeable end. Jesus warns his disciples of the terrible responsibility that they must set no stumbling block in the way of another, that is, not give offense or bad example that might lead another to sin or tempt people to sin by provoking them to anger etc. The young in faith, those who are weak in faith, are especially vulnerable to the bad example of those who should be passing on the faith, and susceptible to outside influence.
In a real sense, no one causes us to sin. Sin is our own free choice, and we, and we alone, will be held accountable for our own sin. One thing that Jesus is pointing out here is that even though every person must take responsibility for their own actions and their own sins, we must also take responsibility for the ways that we act as tempters of others. We are all sinners. Therefore, by our sin, we will all tempt others to sin also. We do not live in a bubble, isolated and disconnected from other people. Our choices have consequences of a social nature. Therefore, not only do we have a responsibility for our own spiritual and moral well-being and our salvation, but for those of others. Our testimony, our decisions, and our actions have an impact for good or bad. How often do we reflect on our influence on the salvific well-being of others?
The second force is forgiveness accompanied by rebuking those who sin, a rebuke of love not of revenge or bringing someone down. Jesus not only encourages us to forgive unlimitedly, but also rebuke those who sin. This is a difficult thing to do in our secular culture. It is easy to harp on someone to do the dishes or to wash his clothes. But when it comes to grave matters of the soul, why do we shy away? Discernment is needed to know when and how to approach our brothers and sisters in a spirit of mercy, love, and genuine concern for their salvation. Purification of our own hearts is also necessary so as to not live a false moral righteousness. We must be aware that we too are in need of conversion of heart. Only then, with humility and prudence, are we prepared to approach someone to rebuke and forgive.
Even with this rebuke, when a brethren sins and comes to you asking for forgiveness, Jesus teaches us that we must forgive him. The theme of forgiveness is the life’s-blood of any Christian community. We cannot live together without upsetting one another, unwittingly, or even deliberately. So forgiveness is the vital step. It expands and stresses our petition in the Lord’s Prayer, ‘Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive others.’ We all pray our Lord's Prayer but do we mean what we pray or we are condemning ourselves as we ask forgiveness on a condition that we have forgiven others. If we haven't forgiven and then we pray this prayer, then we are just condemning ourselves. We should also try by all means to avoid sin and what causes us into sin. Sinning makes lose the gift of the Holy Spirit which God gives. Therefore, we should not use the theme of forgiveness, as a scapegoat for sinning.
Lastly, while Jesus warns against the danger of giving bad example and causing scandal, he also demonstrates the power of faith for overcoming obstacles and temptation to sin and wrongdoing. Jesus said that our faith can move trees and mountains as well if we have a strong one (see Matthew 17:20; Mark 11:23). The term "mountain remover" was used for someone who could solve great problems and difficulties. Paul the Apostle reminds us, "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your strength, but with the temptation will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it" (1 Corinthians 10:13). Do you trust in God's help and rely on his strength when you are put to the test or led into temptation?
Perhaps that is why the Apostles asked Jesus to increase their faith because they were struggling to believe that they would be able to forgive time after time or avoid temptation to sin and causing others to sin through just little faith. We must not cause others to sin but more we must forgive after time. Is that not what Christ does for us in the confessional, time after time? As Christ does for us, we too have that similar power, as part of our baptismal grace of participating in his priestly, prophetic, and kingly ministry. We can bind a person in unforgiveness or release them. Let us ask for faith to recognize the power we hold over others by our testimony, in our rebuking and correcting, and in our forgiving, and ask for the grace to use that power in Jesus’ name and with his heart.
Let us Pray.
Lord Jesus, grant that I may truly grow in my zeal and love for the salvation of souls. Help me to be attentive to how I can positively influence others to live a good life and draw near to you. Help me in the areas of my life where I need to be courageous and merciful to help others on this path, and in the areas where I need to forgive. Amen
Be blessed.
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