1 Cor 8:1-7, 11-13 / Luke 6:27-38
Scandals come in many forms and often it is in big and shameful ways.
The world has had its share of scandals, from embezzlements that brought down reputable banks, to politicians having affairs, and down to aid for poor and hungry being siphoned off by the rich and those in power.
The Church also has had its share of scandals, from sex abuse cases, to power struggles and schisms and heresies, etc.
Scandals are hidden at the start, but when they explode, the reverberations travel far and wide.
In the 1st reading, St. Paul talked about scandals of a lesser nature. He warned about eating foods that are sacrificed to idols.
We may think that it is hardly a scandal, but in those times, it would be enough to cause another's downfall in the faith.
Because whatever we do or say is not a private affair. The effects and reverberations of our words and actions go further and wider than we think.
What Jesus said in the gospel may also sound like a scandal to us. He tells us love our enemies and to do good to those who hate us, bless those who curse us and to pray for those who treat us badly.
And as if that is already not repulsive enough, Jesus even tells us that when a man slaps us on one cheek, present the other cheek too.
But before we start to think that what Jesus is saying is getting too ridiculous, let us remember that if what is done in the dark is set for destruction, then what is done in the light brings about restoration.
May we follow the ways of Jesus and walk in the light, and bring about restoration from the shame and humiliation that the world and the Church has seen.