Homily on Luke 17:1–6 – Be Not a Temptation to Others (10-11-25)

There was a young boy who had never smoked or drunk in his life. He was gentle, obedient, and respected by everyone. One evening, during a college tour, his close friends teased him again and again for being “too holy.” They laughed until he finally gave in and took one sip, just to avoid their jokes. That one sip became another. Slowly, that young man started drinking alone. He lost interest in studies, in prayer, and even in his family.

Years later, one of those same friends met him again. The boy who once smiled easily now sat on a hospital bed, trembling from addiction. He said quietly, “You know, it all began that night when you made me drink.” The friend’s heart broke. He had not meant to destroy him, yet his laughter that night had set another’s life on fire.

Jesus says in today’s Gospel, “It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin.” These words are not born of anger but of deep sorrow. They show how seriously Jesus looks at the sin of leading others astray.

Temptation often begins in small ways. It looks harmless, even friendly. We do not realise the wound it causes until it grows beyond our control. A young village girl once received a message from a friend with a link that looked harmless. Out of curiosity, she opened it and it led her to indecent content. At first she thought it was nothing, just for fun. But soon she began to hide her phone, skip prayers, and lose peace. What started as curiosity became a quiet addiction. The friend who sent that message never imagined it would wound another’s soul so deeply. A single careless message can destroy a pure heart.

Temptation spreads like a small fire in dry grass. It starts with a spark and ends by burning whole fields. Sometimes we tempt others without realising it, but by our words, by what we share, by how we behave. A husband’s anger teaches his son to shout. A mother’s gossip teaches her daughter to speak badly of others. Even silence, when we know something is wrong, can tempt others to do the same.

The Bible gives us many examples. Eve offered the fruit to Adam and the story of pain began. Joseph, on the other hand, ran from temptation in Potiphar’s house. David fell through one look and brought sorrow to his home. The Word of God shows that one small act can bring either ruin or salvation to many.

The saints knew this truth well. Saint John Bosco said that one bad companion can destroy a soul, but one good friend can save a hundred. Saint Therese of Lisieux prayed that not even one of her words would cause another soul to stumble. She wanted to be a small light, never a shadow in anyone’s path.

Let us be careful, especially in our families. The home is the first place where temptations are either born or resisted. Let us watch what we say before children, what we share on phones, what we allow into our houses through screens and jokes. We may not always be great examples, but let us at least never be the reason someone falls.

If we cannot always be an inspiration, let us at least never become a temptation. Jesus warns us not to be the stumbling block for others because one careless act, one forwarded message, one mocking word can wound deeply. It is better, He says, to lose everything than to lose a soul. Let us then guard our hearts, our hands, and our words, so that we may never lead another away from God’s love.

 Lord Jesus, let I not be a cause of temptation to anyone . Amen.

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