Are you mindful of what you think, say and do, such that you are not a source of scandal to others? - Daily Reflections November 11,2013

SCANDAL AS MISDIRECTING OTHERS

 

Our Lord in today’s Gospel mentions the reality of scandal. This is something which, for the most part, has been misunderstood nowadays. It is often used to refer to a specific incident or a continuous behavior which is wrong, bad or sinful. Then there is also the consequence which such an incident or behavior brings. It is something shocking, totally unexpected of certain people — public figures like priests, politicians, or movie stars — of known moral standing in society. The end result is often a media feast, with tabloid gossip columns and showbiz talk shows preying and cashing in on the incident.

       More than that, there is something more serious concerning scandal, properly understood of course. Coming from the Greek word skandalon, it is literally a “stumbling block,” a rock to trip over in one’s journey. It can be a bad deed by someone whom we admire — because of such a bad example, we “stumble” to the ground. Or it can also be something which we see, directing us to the wrong way — something triggering us to think badly and even follow that wrong example.

       This can be most true when it comes to young people. They are still innocent for the most part, highly impressionable, dependent on adults “assigned” to them (their parents, teachers, youth ministers, mentors, etc.). No wonder, St. John Bosco (the Father and Teacher of the Youth) used to speak of the “ugliness” or the “horror” of sin to his boys. Indeed, sin is like that: it is a certain pleasure and attraction at first, thus making it tempting. But it also brings with it an effect that leaves not only a bad taste in the mouth (that is, our conscience haunting us), but also a shockwave of scandal to others. This combination of sin and scandal surely misdirects others from the path of holiness and righteousness.

       Hopefully, we can realize what power we have to direct or misdirect others in life. Let us ask ourselves: What actions in our lives are perhaps a source of scandal to others? Fr. Martin Macasaet, SDB

 

REFLECTION QUESTION: Are you mindful of what you think, say and do, such that you are not a source of scandal to others?

 

Lord, guard my thoughts, words, emotions and actions — may I never bring shame to Your name.