Readings for today's Homily
Today's gospel reminds us of the need to balance two things: (1) the impact of external forces --especially other people—on the moral choices we make and (2) the personal responsibility we each must take for our own moral choices.
One the one hand, Jesus acknowledges the effect one person can have on another in choosing right or wrong. He expresses it in the negative
"It would be better if anyone who leads astray one of these little ones to be plunged in the sea with a great millstone fastened around his neck."
Yes, we can help lead others to sin. Conversely however, we can help others to live lives of virtue.
My example, or lack thereof; my encouragement, or lack thereof, my speaking up or being silent all play a role in what the other does.
To be sure, peer pressure plays an important role with human beings at all stages in our lives. Perhaps it is most noticeable during adolescence when we are trying to clarify our own identity--we want to be accepted and we allow ourselves to be influenced by others.
The question for you and me is to be aware of the influence I can have on another--for good or ill---and to be conscious of the influence others have on me--even when I am not aware of it.
But Jesus does not end the lesson there. He seeks a balance and portrays in very graphic terms, the need each person has to accept responsibility for his/her action.
"If your hand is your difficulty, cut it off! Better for you to enter life maimed than to keep both hands and enter Gehenna with its unquenchable fire". If your foot is your undoing, etc"
This passage need not to be taken literally but it is to be taken seriously. It reflects a Semitic exaggeration to make a point. It is similar to Jesus saying that we need to hate our mother or father
What Jesus is saying here is that we cannot simply say so and so is to blame for my mistakes. Ultimately the choice and responsibility are ours.
Jesus is urging us to take an inventory of our lives and be brutally honest about what or who is causing us to make incorrect choices. Once we identify the cause, we need to take action. It's not our hands or feet but our companions, social circle, means of entertainment, might even be our computer. We need to name who or what it is that creates problems in our moral life and to do something about it.
Not always an easy thing to do but, says Jesus, a necessary one.
One the one hand, Jesus acknowledges the effect one person can have on another in choosing right or wrong. He expresses it in the negative
"It would be better if anyone who leads astray one of these little ones to be plunged in the sea with a great millstone fastened around his neck."
Yes, we can help lead others to sin. Conversely however, we can help others to live lives of virtue.
My example, or lack thereof; my encouragement, or lack thereof, my speaking up or being silent all play a role in what the other does.
To be sure, peer pressure plays an important role with human beings at all stages in our lives. Perhaps it is most noticeable during adolescence when we are trying to clarify our own identity--we want to be accepted and we allow ourselves to be influenced by others.
The question for you and me is to be aware of the influence I can have on another--for good or ill---and to be conscious of the influence others have on me--even when I am not aware of it.
But Jesus does not end the lesson there. He seeks a balance and portrays in very graphic terms, the need each person has to accept responsibility for his/her action.
"If your hand is your difficulty, cut it off! Better for you to enter life maimed than to keep both hands and enter Gehenna with its unquenchable fire". If your foot is your undoing, etc"
This passage need not to be taken literally but it is to be taken seriously. It reflects a Semitic exaggeration to make a point. It is similar to Jesus saying that we need to hate our mother or father
What Jesus is saying here is that we cannot simply say so and so is to blame for my mistakes. Ultimately the choice and responsibility are ours.
Jesus is urging us to take an inventory of our lives and be brutally honest about what or who is causing us to make incorrect choices. Once we identify the cause, we need to take action. It's not our hands or feet but our companions, social circle, means of entertainment, might even be our computer. We need to name who or what it is that creates problems in our moral life and to do something about it.
Not always an easy thing to do but, says Jesus, a necessary one.
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