Kitchen Catechism: Words of Wisdom
Avoid Evil, Do Good.
What is the very worst sin? Lent is a time when we think about our sins, God’s boundless mercy and the wonderful source of forgiveness He has given us, the sacrament of Reconciliation.
When my thoughts began to travel this path, I thought about a question a priest once asked during a convert inquiry discussion. What is the worst, most grievous sin a person can commit? A hand went right up and the answer came: “The sin against the Holy Spirit, the unforgivable sin, the sin of despair.” I was sure that smart person had given the correct answer. I thought, surely, that was the most serious of sins. But the priest said: “No, the most serious sin, is the sin of scandal.” Then he went on to explain what the sin of scandal was. Anything you do or say that causes another person to be separated, in any way, from God. So that really started me thinking and to this day it often crosses my mind. I recall, from the Bible, Jesus saying; “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened round his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. How terrible for the world that there are things that make people lose their faith! Such things will always happen--but how terrible for the one who causes them!” (Mt 18:6-7)
That’s a powerful statement and oh how easy it is to do or say something that might effect another person’s belief. Especially, in the case of children, who it’s so easy to think will not remember or are of less consequence because they can’t always speak up or defend themselves as well as an adult. But Jesus made it quite clear, beware do not be guilty of coming between Him and any other person, especially the little ones who are so dear to His heart.
Another thing Jesus told us was, “avoid evil and do good”. And so my thoughts traveled on and I wondered if scandal is the worst evil, what is the best good that can be done to counteract diminishing a persons faith? Of course, the answer is easy. Do whatever you can to build up a persons faith. Lead them to Jesus.
How fortunate we are because we have the perfect tool, the best medium, in this year 1999, as we enter the new millennium, to build faith and bring people to Jesus. That source is the Internet and our Web Site CatholicWomen.com. The Internet is daily growing by leaps and bounds and every week we get more and more hits or accesses to CatholicWomen.com. So do good by doing whatever you can to promote the Web Site. Above all keep praying because that’s what Catholic women do very well and we all know prayer can really make a difference.