Readings: Wisdom 1:1-7, Ps. 139:1-10, Luke 17:1-6
“Temptations to sin are sure to come; but woe to him by whom they come!” (Luke 17:1)
As a child, after hearing the story of Adam and Eve, I believed the devil was responsible for all temptations. I often heard people blame the devil when they are caught doing something evil. After studying theology, I realised that the devil is not as powerful as we think. The devil doesn’t cause temptations; instead, all temptations come from our desires. St. James says, “Each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. Don’t be deceived.” (James 1:14-16
Also, I learnt that blaming the devil for our sins amounts to repeating the mistake of Adam and Eve, who pointed fingers rather than taking responsibility. Unless we admit that we are the architects of our downfall, learn our lessons and cultivate better desires (imaginations, fantasies, wishes, etc.), we cannot repent. God gave us the power of the will, that is, the ability to make choices. However, this power to choose between good and evil is only fully developed when we become adults. Children are perceptible; they are easily influenced by what they see.
As grown-ups, we have a huge responsibility to avoid giving children the wrong impression. It is not enough to avoid sin; we must go the extra mile to ensure that we are not a source of another person’s downfall. Jesus paints a gory image to show how serious it is to lead others into temptation. What could be worse than having a millstone hung around your neck and thrown into the sea? (Cf. Matthew 18:7, Luke 17:1).
Note that by “children”, Jesus is also referring to new converts to the Christian faith. In his letter to the Corinthians, St. Paul says: “For if anyone sees you, a man of knowledge, at a table in an idol’s temple, might he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? And so, by your knowledge, this weak man is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. Thus, sinning against your brethren and wounding their conscience when weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food is a cause of my brother’s falling, I will never eat meat, lest I cause my brother to fall.” (1 Corinthians 8:10-13).
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus describes us as salt and light. We are supposed to lead the way, not lead others into darkness. Our lives should inspire goodness, not confusion. Do not tell a child one thing while doing the very opposite. If our behaviour encourages others to remain in (or even increase) their sinful lifestyles, we will share in the punishment. Ours might even be worse.
Today’s first reading says, “Wisdom will not enter a deceitful soul, nor dwell in a body enslaved to sin...” (Wisdom 1:4). Could it be that I have become so enslaved to sin that I no longer see anything wrong with what I am doing? Let us always put ourselves in the shoes of the little ones who look up to us as mentors and guides. Be good; you do not even know those who are watching you.
St. Leo the Great, also known as Pope Leo I, was the first pope to be called “the Great.” He came from a noble Roman family and served as a deacon by 431 under Pope Celestine I. Leo was renowned for his sharp intellect, deep devotion to God, and his skill in uniting Christians by resolving both worldly and theological disputes. In 440, following the death of Pope Sixtus III, Leo was elected pope. He worked tirelessly to maintain the unity of the church, uphold the faith, and protect his people from invasions.
A significant part of his leadership involved combating heresies such as Pelagianism, which denied original sin and the necessity of divine grace, and Manichaeism, which rejected the inherent goodness of creation and the human body. Leo’s theological expertise was evident in a renowned letter he wrote to clarify the nature of Jesus Christ, affirming both His humanity and divinity. This letter remains a respected document for its clear and accurate theological insights. Furthermore, Leo was recognised as a peacemaker, most notably when he confronted Attila the Hun in 452 to defend Rome.
His sermons demonstrated profound spirituality and a genuine connection with the people’s concerns. Pope Leo I’s leadership, from defending orthodox beliefs to providing pastoral guidance, left a lasting impression on the church. He died on 10 November 461 and was later declared a Doctor of the Church. Today, his feast day is celebrated annually on 10 November.
Let us pray: O God, who never allows the gates of hell to prevail against your Church, firmly founded on the apostolic rock, grant her, we pray, that through the intercession of Pope Saint Leo, she may stand firm in your truth and know the protection of lasting peace. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. Amen
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Saint Leo the Great, Pope, Doctor. Liturgical Colour: White. Bible Study: Wisdom 1:1-7, Ps. 139:1-10, Luke 17:1-6)
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu