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26th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Collect
O God, who manifest your almighty power above all by pardoning and showing mercy, bestow, we pray, your grace abundantly upon us and make those hastening to attain your promises heirs to the treasures of heaven. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Lectio Divina
How many times have we caught ourselves judging the good deeds of others with suspicion? Or how often have we closed the doors of our hearts or those of our communities to people who in our eyes were not good enough. In Today’s Gospel Jesus’ disciples find themselves faced with this temptation, but Jesus quickly turns their attention on themselves by reminding them of their responsibility to draw others to God.
Jesus continues to enlighten us about this responsibility by referring to two types of stones. The first type of stone is that which in the Greek version of the Bible is known as ‘skandalon’. This word is used for the stone that God says should not be placed in the path of the blind man to stumble over (see Lev 19:14). In the same way, this word can also be used to lead another to sin or to cause scandal. Through this word used in this passage, Jesus is warning us not to cause scandal by what we say or do. He not only says not to cause scandal to children but also to those weak in the faith.
The second stone he mentions is a millstone. Anyone who has ever visited an old mill knows how large a millstone is. Jesus sounds like he is exaggerating and being a bit harsh when he says that it would be better to tie a millstone around our neck and be thrown into the sea. But through this imagery Jesus is placing before us the great responsibility we have to lead others to him and not to deter them.
If we must place stones in someone’s path, let us place them to guide them to Jesus or to allow them to have a solid foothold and steps that lead them to God’s love and not to hinder them.
Prayer
Lord, forgive me for the times I might have been a stone that made others stumble or caused them to distance themselves from you.
Help me to be a stone that helps build the faith of others in you.
I thank you for those who helped me build my faith in you by preparing the way and opening the doors of their hearts and communities, even if I was not worthy.
Thank you, Lord. Amen.
