Our Gospel instructs us in harsh words: “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe to stumble, it would be better for him if a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and he has been cast into the sea.”
Let us remember that a millstone is pretty heavy. It was used to grind grain and was so heavy that a man couldn’t pick it up. Therefore, to due to it’s great weight a donkey was used to move it. To be cast into the sea with a millstone attached to one’s neck means that one would drown. There would be no surviving the weight of the millstone.
This sounds pretty harsh, but let us go back to our Gospel which tells us of something even worse then being cast into the sea with a millstone hung around your neck. That being one who causes one of the little ones who believe to stumble. A better translation of this word “little” would be “humble.” Therefore, we are not only speaking of children, but leading any of the innocent into sin.
Sadly, there have been bad shepherds of the Church throughout its history. Modernly we continue to hear of bishops and priests who have done some inexcusable things. Their actions have led others away from the Church. They have scandalized the life of the faithful. Of them it is said by Saint John Chrysostom: “The road to hell is paved with the skulls of bishops.” Hopefully we do not place our faith in men, but the Lord who is unchanging and present with us in the Most Holy Eucharist.
Each of us must be concerned in living a life which reflects our state in life. Our state in life encompasses if you are married, single, a priest, or in a religious order. The life that we live should be reflective of this state. If one is married they have obligations towards their spouse and once children are brought into the picture there is an obligation to raise them in the faith. As Saint Catherine of Siena stated: “Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.”
We who have been entrusted with much must avoid leading others into scandal. Scandal leads ourself, our spouse, our children, our family, and our friends away from Christ and the Church. Scandal is given when one decides to push the teachings of the Church aside and thus enter into cohabitation, gossiping, sinful language, marrying outside of the Church, not coming to Mass on Sunday, abusing their power, failing to pray, and other actions which go against Christ, the Church, and human flourishing.
Let us not be people of scandal; those who should have this millstone hung around their neck. Instead let us always have concern for the innocent ones that they may remain unblemished and upright in the sight of the Lord. Where we have fallen short let us move towards the Sacrament of Confession and come to encounter the infinite mercy of God which awaits us there.
