new subtheme: Scandals and Stumbling Blocks

This sub-theme gathers the Gospel passages where Jesus addresses the question of scandals — those acts, words or situations that become spiritual traps, occasions to stumble for others or for oneself. The Greek term "skandalon" literally designates an obstacle that makes one fall, and Jesus uses it with particular gravity to warn his disciples against everything that could draw believers away from God.

These texts cover in particular the warnings of Jesus about those who cause the little ones to stumble, the teachings on personal responsibility in the face of sin, and the confrontations with the Pharisees whose behavior is itself a scandal for the people.

To read these passages is to discover a demanding ethic of discipleship: Jesus never minimizes the gravity of causing another to fall. He calls his followers to constant vigilance, both over their actions and over their spiritual influence.

This sub-theme resonates with the teachings on the parable of the sower, purity of heart and communal responsibility in the early Church.

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new subtheme: Scandals and Stumbling Blocks

PER201 Offenses and occasions for stumbling
Pericope PER201 presents Jesus' private teaching in Capernaum on offenses and occasions for stumbling. He distinguishes two cases: those who cause new converts to stumble, and Christians confronted with their own weaknesses. Through radical bodily metaphors, Jesus calls us to eliminate everything that leads to sin, stressing that life in the kingdom of God is worth any sacrifice. Matthew, Mark and Luke report this teaching with complementary nuances.

James 1.14-15 (King James Version) :
But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org

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Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate