To be "tolerant", not "to scandalize the little ones", requires a personal struggle against sin. In fact, the greatness that Jesus requires from his disciples requires acts of violence against oneself so that the one's sinful tendencies may be placed under control. What St. Paul says about baptism -- that is union in the death of Christ -- is realized each time the baptized consciously denies puts to death his proclivities to sin. Read the relevant article here and use the following as a guide for reflection.
1. James and John -- the sons of thunder -- inform Jesus that they have stopped a man, a non-member, from exorcising demons. Clearly, the issue is not anything similar to what we experience today of groups claiming to belong to Jesus and who have to learn to live side-by-side. Rather the issue is about people who do not belong to Jesus and yet are engaged in the same battle against the kingdom of Satan.
Reflect: Not only the Church is engaged in the battle against the Kingdom of Satan. There are many among us who although not belonging to any Christian denomination are also engaged in the battle against evil. These are the "men of good-will", the Church's allies when it comes to fighting for what is good, true and noble. Can you see them in your own neighborhood? According to this Sunday's gospel, how should you treat them?
2. Jesus is stern when it comes to the prospect of scandal to "the little ones". In the previous narrative, Jesus had embraced a child and told his disciples that those who accept a child like that one accepts him. To cause "a little one" to sin is so objectionable to Jesus that he'd prefer the one who scandalizes to put a millstone around his neck and drown.
Reflect: Who are the "little ones" in your own community? Why would you consider them "little ones"? How do you understand Jesus' warning about scandalizing the little ones?
3. All fight against the evil without involves a fight against the evil within. Jesus' hyperbolic statements about "cutting off and throwing away" is the basis of what has been traditionally called "mortification" -- "dying to self". This is asceticism practised in order to put the "flesh" under the control of the "spirit."
Reflect. "Asceticism" has become an unfashionable word duriing our times, yet we perform certain practices that are similar to ascetic ones in the name of well-being, beauty and good health. A model may prefer to sleep at nine so that she can wake up at 4 AM so that she can begin her jogging regime thereby foregoing parties and late night shows. Or a middle-aged man may under doctor's orders eliminates cholesterol and beer from his diet so that his blood pressure would be more stable and he wouldn't experience arthritic pains. The only difference between the above practices and the ones expected from the Christian is the motive. The Christian does the things above so that he/she could kill the sinful tendencies he/she has.
Which ascetical practices do you engage in? How do you "mortify" the flesh?
