On Scandal

First Point - "Woe to the world because of scandals. For it must needs be that scandals come: but nevertheless woe to that man by whom the scandal cometh." (Matthew 18:7) "He that shall scandalize one of these little ones that believe in Me, it were better for him that a mill stone should be hanged about his neck, and that he should be drowned in the depth of the sea" (Matthew 18:6). How terrible must be the crime that could draw down on it so great a condemnation. It is a great misfortune to lose an eye, yet, according to the words of the Saviour, it is a blessing to us if by that loss we are prevented from scandalizing others.

Second Point - If you have robbed your neighbor of his innocence, his purity, and the grace of God, you must make amends for the evil you have done to him. How can you hope to be saved unless you do so? If you have robbed Jesus Christ of the souls which are so dear to Him, and which have cost the price of His most precious blood, how can you hope for pardon unless you make reparation? The parable of the lost sheep should give you some idea of Our Saviour's sorrow for a soul that has gone astray. Do you believe that He will permit you to go unpunished if you have led souls astray? Can you doubt that His vengeance will fall on those who have caused Him so great an injury? If you feel culpable in this regard how can you be so tranquil? How can you make so little effort to satisfy and appease the anger of God?

Third Point - Have you not reason to fear that the Lord will say to you as He said to Cain: "The voice of thy brother's blood cries to Me from the earth" (Genesis 4:10). Render an account of this innocent one whom you have killed and whose virtue you have destroyed. I will require his blood at thy hand. (Ezekiel 3:18) Thou hast set thyself up as one having more power to lose souls than I have to save them. What can you reply to these reproaches? God did not hesitate to give His life to save souls, yet you are not generous enough to restrain a passion in order to prevent the loss of souls. God became the victim of love in order to save souls, while a Christian becomes the victim of hatred to ruin souls.

Examine your conscience to see if you have not been an occasion of scandal to others. Take the resolution to make immediate reparation.

Woe to the world because of scandals. - Matthew 18:7

We must render an account for each time that our bad example has been an occasion of scandal to others. - Saint Augustine of Hippo

- text taken from Meditations for Every Day in a Month, by Father François Nepveu