“He said to his disciples, ‘Things that cause sin will inevitably occur, but woe to the person through whom they occur. It would be better for him if a millstone were put around his neck and he be thrown into the sea than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin. Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he wrongs you seven times in one day and returns to you seven times saying, ‘I am sorry,’ you should forgive him.” (Lk. 17:1-4 NABRE)
We live in a fallen creation, and as a result of this, sin and evil naturally occur. We experience sickness, tragedies, and death, as well as spiritual battles involving vices and temptations. But Jesus reminds us today that simply because such evils will inevitably occur, this is no excuse to hold ourselves less accountable. We are to fight against these things all the more by relying on the Lord and His graces, and by striving for union with God through reaching for holiness!!
Jesus warns us about the dangers of leading others into sin. Rather than influencing or causing others to do evil, we are called to be an example to others of how to live like Jesus. We are called to demonstrate the Lord’s love and virtue, so as to lead others to Jesus and His light.
Further, if someone sins against us, we must not hold a grudge or withhold forgiveness. If we wish to be forgiven of our sins, we must bestow that same mercy of the Lord on others by forgiving them of the wrongs they’ve committed against us. Doing so will assist others in experiencing Jesus’ love and mercy and will encourage them to do the same by freely forgiving as well.
Overall, today’s Gospel is a reminder to choose a life of holiness, to lead by example, and to forgive those who have hurt us. May we follow Jesus’ commands by striving to obey these teachings.
“Be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Mt. 5:8)
“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do.” (Col. 3:12-13)
We arrive at holiness when we stop reaching for it, and allowing holiness to reach us by humility toward God in casting all of our care on Him (cf. 1Peter 5:5-7).
Amen!