Another Exorcist; Temptations to Sin [September 30, 2012]

The Sunday Gospel [September 30, 2012]

Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48

38John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us.” 39Jesus replied, “Do not prevent him. There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me. 40For whoever is not against us is for us. 41Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ, amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward.

42“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe [in me] to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were put around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. 43If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed than with two hands to go into Gehenna, into the unquenchable fire. 45And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life crippled than with two feet to be thrown into Gehenna. 47And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. Better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into Gehenna, 48where ‘their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.’

Reflection

“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe [in me] to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were put around his neck and he were thrown into the sea.” ~ 42

O Henry is well known for the surprise endings of his stories. One story concerns an emotionally starved child. She’s always asking her father is she can sit in his lap. He always puts her off, saying, “Go outside and play.” The inevitable happens. The girl grows up accepting affection from anyone who offers it; she becomes a prostitute. When she dies, Peter says to Jesus. “We’ve got a bad one coming today.” Then comes the “surprise ending.” Jesus says to Peter, “When she comes, let her into heaven; but when her father comes, hold him responsible for her life.”

How vigilant am I not to do anything that might cause anyone – especially a child – to lose faith in Jesus?

“Children, especially, set their watches by our clock.”

Reflection Credits: Fr. Mark Link, SJ; Daily Homilies

Source: The Reflection is from Bro. Abel Navarro (you can visit his blog at http://myblogabelnavarroabel.blogspot.com/).