“Things that cause sin will inevitably occur, but woe to the one through whom they occur.”

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“Things that cause sin will inevitably occur, but woe to the one through whom they occur.”

Gospel Reading Luke 17:1-6

Jesus said to his disciples, “Things that cause sin will inevitably occur, but woe to the one 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.” And the Apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.” The Lord replied, “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.”

In today’s Gospel, Jesus gives us a two-fold message followed by words of hope. The first message is dealing with leading others astray and the second message is regarding forgiveness. We all know that sinning is wrong and that “things that cause sin will inevitably occur,” but Jesus tells us that causing others to sin is even worse. This raises our sin to the level of scandal. If we cause others to sin we destroy God’s desire not only for our redemption, but for their redemption as well. If we block their way by leading them to sin, we steer them away from the resurrection and into eternal death. Jesus tells us that “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.” If we cause others to sin we are causing them to drown and then our punishment would be likewise.

As we are ordered not to lead others to sin, we are also ordered to forgive those who sin against us. If we see someone sinning, Jesus tells us not to follow their example. But if they ask for forgiveness, we are to forgive them. He tells us, “if your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him;” not just one time but every time he asks you. Even if it is for the same sin several times in one day. If causing others to sin is such a great sin, then leading others to forgiveness is extremely pleasing to God. It is by our example that God rewards us. How can we ask forgiveness if we cannot forgive though who have sinned against us. So how is it possible to live both these demands from God? Hearing this message, the apostles ask Jesus, “Increase our faith!” And Jesus replied, “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.” Everything is possible for those who have faith. We can perform miracles if we have faith.

There are seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. Each gift produces a different and very special grace. The gifts of understanding and knowledge lead to the virtue of faith. Therefore, by asking God to increase our faith, we are asking God to increase our awareness of the gifts of understanding and knowledge. These gifts which are placed in our soul increase our understanding and knowledge of the truth. Understanding prevents us from becoming apprehensive to the truth while knowledge allows us to be practical in the judgment about truth. These two gifts allow us to clearly see God’s truth as it has been set out before us. If we see God’s truth, then how can we lead others to sin and how can we not forgive those who trespass against us? If we see the truth and the light and yet lead others away, how condemned is our soul for we know what we are do is wrong.

A Simple Prayer

God, you have graced me with many gifts including the gifts of the Holy Spirit,

Increase my awareness of each of these gifts, but especially understanding and knowledge

So that I, by my example will lead all souls to heaven and not direct them away from redemption.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon