Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
The Readings this Sunday seem to draw our attention to something that we encounter every day, something that affects our senses, our interactions, our integral human development, and indeed, our whole lives. So great is its impact that it demands our sensitivity to it, and our proper reaction to it. It is the word scandal. The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines scandal as “an attitude or behavior which leads another to do evil…it can be provoked by laws, by institutions, by fashions, or by opinions.” (CCC 2284 -2286). The Greek word for it is skandalon which means an obstacle, or a stumbling block. Something that stands in the way, the way of love, and of justice and peace! For example, if something damages or blocks your sight, you might get irritated. If something interrupts the air you breath, you touch your nose, you are not pleased. If something blocks your hearing, you might grow impatient. If someone presumes to do something which – in human conscience and public order – is not supposed to do, he causes unrest and confusion. For example, in the case of Medad and Eldad, as we have heard in the first reading, or in the event of the man in the gospel, who being outside apostolic company, is driving out demons in Jesus’ name.
There have been many scandals in the history of mankind, and the greatest of them all is the scandal of the Cross of Christ. St. Paul was the first one to use this expression when he wrote to the Corinthians and said, “we proclaim Christ Crucified, a stumbling block -in other words, a scandal – to the Jews, and foolishness to the Gentiles, yet to those who are being saved, Christ the power and wisdom of God.” (1Cor. 1:23). The Crucifixion was such a horrifying scene that the Jews could not endure the spectacle. They shouted at the Crucified, “you who would destroy the Temple and rebuilt it in three days, save yourself, if you are the Son of God, come down from the Cross, and we will believe.” (Mt. 27:40) To the Jews, this is a scandal, it is unbelievable, for, how can the Son of God hang on the Cross? To the Gentile, this is nonsense. The Cross of Christ, then creates a conflict between faith and reason. Only Faith can see what lies beyond this most unfortunate scene. Reason alone simply dismisses it. So, the Cross of Christ stands in the way for some people. And yet for some people, the Cross is a sure path to glory and to paradise. Take for example, the thief on the right side of our Crucified Lord. What did he see in the Crucified? He said, “Remember me, when you come into your Kingdom.” A kingdom! He looked at a disfigured man crowned with thorns, nailed to the throne, and bleeding to death, and he saw a King. And our Lord said to him, “today you will be with me in Paradise.” (Lk. 23:42-43.) What do you see in the Crucified?
So, to this very day, the world of no faith hates the Cross of Christ.
It stands in the way, or rather it reminds them of their own acts of violence against the human race. So, the Cross is driven out of the classrooms. And any talking about the Crucified is dismissed, in Hospitals, schools, workplaces, and playgrounds. Our Lord once said, “Blessed is he who is not scandalized in me” (Mt. 11:6). And St. Paul gives a timeless warning, that “to those who are perishing, the Cross is folly.” (1Cor. 1:18). So, as Christians, we lift high the Cross for all to see, and whoever looks upon it with faith is healed. For, it is even a greater scandal to betray or to refuse to identify ourselves with the Crucified. We cause others to sin if we pretend to be Catholic, yet we have contempt for the Cross of Christ. And for this, the punishment is unbearable, just like that of Judas Iscariot.
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