Monday of 32nd Week, Year II: reflection

Theme: We scandalize others when we fail to correct and forgive.

Reading: Lk 17:1–6

Dear friends in Christ, in today’s gospel reading, our Lord Jesus warns us against causing scandals, especially among our little ones. The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines scandal as any saying, action, or omission that causes an occasion of sin for another person. When we hear the word scandal, we often think of sexual activities, bribery, corruption, theft, violence, and other kinds of the sin of commission.

But in actual fact, one can scandalize others by failing to do the things Jesus urged us to do in today’s gospel. Jesus urged His disciples and all of us to always rebuke sinners and forgive those who offended us.

Whenever we fail to rebuke what is wrong, we silently corroborate, endorse, or approve of it, and it is scandalous for Christians to condone or approve of evil in society. Our silence in the face of evil has a profound impact on people who look up to us as followers of Christ. By keeping silent when someone does something wrong, we not only approve of it but also indirectly promote that wrong thing.

The second is that whenever we fail to forgive those who offended us, especially those who have asked for pardon from us, we scandalize those who know and understand that forgiveness is one of the pillars of our religion. A true Christian will always forgive those who have wronged him and will never turn away from those who seek forgiveness.

May God help us to grant forgiveness to those who have offended us and to rebuke evil wherever we see it.

Have a blessed new week.

Fr. Isaac Chima