(THESE ARE THE RULES OF SCRIPTURES BY WHICH WE CAN ATTAIN ETERNAL LIFE)

RULE 33

CAP 1

That we should not give scandal. Scandal is anything opposed to the will of God. 

"Woe to you by whom scandal comes. . .do not put a stumbling block or scandal in your brother's path."

Peter, who tried to stop Christ from doing the Will of God, was rebuked by Christ: "Go behind me, Satan, you art a scandal unto Me, because thou savorest not the things that are of God but the things that are of men."

CAP 2

That even an act blessed by Scriptures should be avoided if, by it, others would be emboldened to commit sin or relax their zeal for virtue. Thus, St. Paul, convinced there is nothing wrong with meat, encouraged those who ate not to eat for the sake of those with weak consciences. He added, "Wherefore if eating meat will scandalize my brother, I will never eat meat."

CAP 3

Sometimes, what is not necessary to be done MUST, in fact, BE DONE to avoid scandal. Thus, Christ told His disciples that the children of God are not to pay taxes to anyone but, to avoid scandal, the disciples were commanded to pay taxes.

CAP 4

But the Will of God must be done even if others take scandal. That others foolishly take scandal at our doing God's will should not hamper our freedom to do good. We must continue to do good. The fault is not in us anymore; the defect is in their minds. Thus, the Pharisees were scandalized at practically everything good that Christ did and said. Christ, referring to them, said: "They are blind leaders of the blind." Even Christ's own disciples were scandalized when He said: "Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His Blood. . ." And they walked no longer with Him.

(12-18-03)