Gospel

Luke 17:1-6

Jesus said to his disciples,

"Things that cause sin will inevitably occur,

but woe to the one through whom they occur.

It would be better for him if a millstone were put around his neck

and he be thrown into the sea

than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin.

Be on your guard!

If your brother sins, rebuke him;

and if he repents, forgive him.

And if he wrongs you seven times in one day

and returns to you seven times saying, 'I am sorry,'

you should forgive him."

And the Apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith."

The Lord replied, "If you have faith the size of a mustard seed,

you would say to this mulberry tree,

'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it would obey you."

Reflection

Jesus points out to his disciples one of the insidious ways in which sin infects others, especially those who are vulnerable and open. And what he longs for his disciples to understand is that sin is something that we have to deal with, but when we deal with it, we are to deal with it with forgiveness. But at the same time, we are to be so careful that we understand how deadly it can be.

Closing Prayer

Father, help us to understand the impact that we have on other people. Help us to be conscious of the witness that we need to have to be against sin, but yet still forgiving the sinner. And we ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

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