33rd Week in Ordinary Time (C) : Monday 7th November 2022

Jesus offers two pathways for His disciples to live righteously and with integrity, with one heart and mind, caring for each other in the community: the avoidance of scandal and the need for forgiveness and pardon.

Personal sin is rejecting God’s love and disobeying His commandments. It damages one’s conscience and soul, causing one to lose grace. But sin also has a communal dimension: one’s sinful actions can cause others to stumble and fall away from the faith. This is the grave sin of scandal that Jesus abhorred.

Faith is born of a graced encounter with Him who reveals His love for us. Having experienced His love, we have a mandate from Him to share it with others. As His disciples, we are called to live out our faith and bear witness to our words and actions. We all have “little ones” entrusted to us: our family members, neophytes, enquirers and even those weak in faith. To love is to will the good of the other, and if we genuinely love our neighbours as ourselves, we should care for their spiritual health. Admonishing sinners is a spiritual work of mercy; forgiving them and reconciling them with the community is an act of charity and magnanimity that restores social harmony and human solidarity.

“Increase our faith.” Lord, sow in our faith the joy of the Risen One. Grant us the grace to see all things anew with the eyes of Jesus that He may light up our paths. Help us to bring compassion to the poor, the sick, the lonely and the unloved in our community. Amen.