The danger of scandal is very severe because of its ability to lead the weak astray. Scandal is worse than death because it leads not only to physical death but eternal death.
In the gospel, Jesus first of all tells His disciples about the reward for generosity. He further explain to His disciples the danger of scandal and the punishment reserved for those who cause others to fall into sin by being bad example to them.
He told them that, it is better for one to be drowned in the deep of the sea with stone tied round his or her neck than to cause another person to sin. This goes to show how serious the sin of scandal is.
Every scandal causes a chain reaction, resulting in the victims’ abusing and giving scandal to others in turn, adversely affecting the whole community in the process. Scandals, like the sexual abuse of children, lead many to serious sins and lead both victims and scandal-givers away from Faith and religious practices.
When Jesus said that, “if your hand should cause you to sin, cut it off; it is better for you to enter into life crippled, than to have two hands and go to hell, into the fire that cannot be put out. And if your foot should cause you to sin, cut it off; it is better for you to enter into life lame, than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. And if your eye should cause you to sin, tear it out; it is better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell where their worm does not die nor their fire go out” (Mark 9:41-50). He does not mean that we should take all these literally but to get the truth out of it.
This means that we should abandon certain evil habits, bad friendships and undue attachments to avoid giving serious bad example and committing grave sins. Jesus does not teach that we should literally cut off hand or foot or pluck out our eye.
Our Lord teaches that, the most important aspect of our life is our Faith, and that it is better to suffer any calamity rather than to lose this precious gift. However let us be mindful how we live in the presence of those without strong faith. We should be wary of becoming a danger to others less we are doomed for eternity. Peace be with you.
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