Let’s start by stating the obvious: Jesus does NOT want us to cut off our hands or pluck out our eyes (see Mark 9:38-48)! Jesus was using hyperbole–extreme examples–to get His disciples’ attention and make a point. He wanted to show that sin is serious business. So serious that it would be better to lose a hand, foot, or eye than to continue sinning with them as “accomplices.” So serious, indeed, that it would be better to die than to cause an innocent person to sin.
There’s a misconception that venial sins are no big deal. The Catechism teaches: “Mortal sin destroys charity in the heart of man by a grave violation of God’s law; it turns man away from God, who is his ultimate end and his beatitude, by preferring an inferior good to him. Venial sin allows charity to subsist, even though it offends and wounds it” (CCC 1855).
It goes on to state why it is important to confess and repent from venial sin: “Deliberate and unrepented venial sin disposes us little by little to commit mortal sin” (CCC 1863). In other words, small sins often lead to bigger sins. Also, all sin damages our relationships with God and one another.
In this week’s Gospel passage, Jesus explores the connection between the roots of sin. Sometimes we cause others to sin; sometimes we cause ourselves to sin. Either way, God calls us to avoid leading others or ourselves into sin. The choice is ours. We can stay in denial about the ways we ourselves are the cause of sin, or we can choose to make a plan to change our sinful habits.
This week, I’m going to consider the things that I do that unintentionally can lead others to sin. Then I’ll think of the things that are near occasions of sin for me. I’ll choose one of each to begin with and focus on changing my behavior in order to root out sin before it begins, by starting with the source.
Jesus, help me to see the ways I cause myself and others to sin. Give me the courage to repent of these ways, make a plan for sacramental confession, and resolve to root out these sources of sin.