Homily for the Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time



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Homily for the Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
(Oct 1, 2006)

Intro: What do you think Jesus means when he says, “if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off”? I am confident that it does not mean literally to cut it off, or we would be seeing all kind of Christians missing a hand, foot, eye, tongue or other parts of our bodies.

I)..One interpretation is that the body could refer to the church, since the church is the Body of Christ. At times the church has to excommunicate someone or some group which is in danger of causing the whole body to fall down.

A) This past week you may have read that the Pope excommunicated Archbishop Milingo of Zambia for a number of reasons, including his installing 4 married men as bishops, without permission. Whether you agree with this particular excommunication or not, almost everyone would agree that there are times that someone serving as our eyes, hands, feet or a tongue, must be cut off to keep the church from going astray.

B) Mark uses the Greek word Skandelizo to describe causing someone to sin. It literally means: “causes to stumble” or “to put an obstacle in front of” – thus keeping one from staying on the Path and following Jesus.

Story: Recently I was talking with a young man about why so many young people are not connected with the church. He contrasted an old pastor his family knew, who lived very simply. He carried a tattered umbrella and traveled by bus to go out and visit his parishioners. Then he described many priests and bishops today, who have the best cars and seem to spend their time only with the rich. As I listened I understood that those priests who want only the best were a stumbling block for this young man—they were a scandal to him.

II) Jesus said that anyone who is a stumbling block for the little ones, it would be better if that person if that person were drowned in the sea.
A) Not just priests, we all need to be careful to not lead children or gullible people astray. Those who do lead others astray, if they don’t repent should be cut off from the community, so they cant do it any more.

B) So when Jesus says that if your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off – Jesus is saying
*you must cut off or let go of what your hand is holding onto as if it were your salvation
*you must cut out what your eyes have become glued to on the TV or internet screen
· you must cut out letting your feet take a path which leads you into sin.

C) When it comes to sin, -- don’t mess with it. Cut it out – now.
When it comes to hell – avoid it at all costs.
It is not a matter of cutting off a part of your body, but getting rid of whatever in gets in the way of your life with God – whether that be a person who is leading you astray, your over-attachment to money or possessions or a way of thinking that is causing you to stumble.

Story: While some cause others to stumble, people like St. Francis of Assisi brought many little ones closer to Jesus, by his humble example. Francis as a young man thought it would be romantic to be a soldier going off on a crusade, but he found war to be a terrible thing. After spending a year as a prisoner of war, Francis’s eyes began to be opened to see the beggars and the lepers. He gave away all he owned and gave his life to rebuilding the church of Christ . He opened his heart to the pope, to all human beings, to animals and to all of God’s creation. His poverty and bold faith took away his fears and this little man became a giant. His example caught on and thousands of men and women followed him in seeking to live the Gospel of Jesus in a simple way.

Conclusion: The example I give; the example you give by your life and your words will either be part of the problem – causing the children and the susceptible ones to stumble—skandelon
Or our example will bring the little ones closer to Christ.

Homily for the Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Oct 1, 2006)

Homily for the Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
(Oct 1, 2006)