The Dangers of Causing Others to Sin – Nov 10 – Homily – Fr Terrance

 

Fr. Terrance gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on Nov 10, 2025, where he explores the Gospel theme of scandal from Luke 17, emphasizing how actions or behaviors that lead others to sin gravely offend God and harm the faithful.

Father delves into the Gospel from Luke 17:1-2, where Our Lord cautions that scandals are inevitable, but woe to those who cause them, preferring a millstone around the neck and drowning in the sea over leading little ones to sin. He explains scandal as the Greek skandalon, a trap ensnaring victims, echoing the Hebrew for a noose or snare. Drawing from CCC 2284, Father notes scandal as behavior leading others to evil, tempting neighbors, damaging virtue, and potentially causing spiritual death through mortal sin or damnation; it's grave if deliberately inducing grave offenses. An Orthodox view sees it as tempting apostasy due to bad Christian behavior, while Theophylact describes offenses hindering a good life, like public sins such as drunkenness, foul language, or skipping Mass, which encourage imitation. Scandal's weight varies by sin's nature and context, including evil appearances, like unmarried couples sharing a hotel room. Tied to imprudence, St. Peter Chrysologus portrays scandal tempting saints, fatiguing the cautious, and confusing all, linking it to Jesus' passion. Theophylact cites Pharisees hindering Christ's preaching. Father lists examples: clergy preaching against Church doctrine, lawmakers backing euthanasia, abortion, contraception, gay marriage, transgenderism, or in vitro fertilization, thus normalizing sin; business leaders promoting fraud, teachers angering children, media manipulating morals; and immodest dress arousing lust. He also points out that Catholics who, in inprudent zeal, constantly criticize the Vatican, Pope, and hierarchy for not standing up sufficiently to these abuses, also cause scandal, and thus tear down the Church and deter converts. He urges Christ-like respect for Mother Church. St. Francis reformed himself amid corruption, focusing on Christ. Little ones include children, new or weak faithful (Luke 17:2), and deliberate scandal hurts them eternally; better a horrible death than an eternal one. Father advises attentive witness, invoking Our Lady for awareness and grace to avoid hindering spiritual journeys.

For Further Reading:

Luke 17:1 - NAB - Woe to those causing scandal to little ones - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/17?1
Catechism of the Catholic Church 2284 - Scandal defined as leading to evil - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/2284.htm
Catechism of the Catholic Church 1868 - Sins harming neighbor including scandal - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/1868.htm
Catechism of the Catholic Church 2285 - Avoiding scandal through prudence - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/2285.htm
St. Francis of Assisi - Life of reform amid Church issues - https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-francis-of-assisi/

Ave Maria!

Mass: St. Leo the Great - Mem - http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=299
Readings: Monday 32nd Week of Ordinary Time - http://usccb.org/bible/readings/111025.cfm
1st: wis 1:1-7
Resp: psa 139:1-10
Gsp: luk 17:1-6

More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=1191&r=1547

Also on YouTube: https://youtu.be/X0RcWji5_sk