A stern warning from the gospel

October 1, 2006 -- 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time

By Fr. Michael Stubbs

	Fr. Mike Stubbs

"Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were put around his neck and he were thrown into the sea."

When we hear the words, "little ones" and "scandalize" together in the same sentence in Sunday's gospel reading, the mind immediately jumps to the topic of the sexual abuse scandals which have recently afflicted the Catholic Church. Can we equate the "little ones" with those children who have suffered sexual abuse at the hands of church leaders? Are these children the ones who have been led into sin, specifically, sexual sin?

We suppose those things because when we hear the phrase, "these little ones," we easily infer that it means "children." The gospel of Matthew takes that approach in its parallel passage, which it links to another verse clearly referring to children. Jesus points to a real, live child and says, "And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me. Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea." (Matthew 18:5,6)

In taking this approach, the gospel of Matthew is interpreting Mark's gospel, which most scholars believe was written earlier. This interpretation appears to depart from Mark's original meaning. In Mark's gospel, "these little ones who believe in me" indicates humble members of the Christian community. The term can include children, but certainly is not restricted to it. It primarily means "disciples." That meaning is spelled out in the example: "And whoever gives only a cup of cold water to one of these little ones to drink because he is a disciple, amen, I say to you, he will surely not lose his reward." (Matthew 10:42).

Similarly, the term "children" elsewhere appears in the New Testament as a metaphor to describe the disciples. We hear that usage when Jesus tells his disciples, "My children, I will be with you only a little while longer." (John 13:33) As spiritual leader, Jesus has assumed a role toward his disciples similar to that of a parent toward a child. Catholic tradition continues that approach in its custom of addressing priests as "Father," and the head of a community of religious women as "Mother Superior." It makes sense, then, for the New Testament to call the disciples "little ones."

So, all those who would lead us disciples into sin, beware! The gospel issues a stern warning, that "it would be better for him if a great millstone were put around his neck and he were thrown into the sea." Conversely, the gospel promises a reward for showing a disciple even a small gesture of hospitality: "Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ, amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward." The message is clear.

Christ will take care of his own.

(Fr. Stubbs, a priest of the Archdiocese of Kansas City, Kansas, has a master's degree in theology from Harvard.)