November 12, 2024
Reflections By Rev. Fr. David Okolie

SPIRITUAL GIFTS, RICHES AND SCANDAL

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Rev. Fr. David Okolie

Dearest friends,

Indeed, every good gift and every perfect present comes from heaven, from God (cf. Js 1:17). The different special gifts that God bestows on his people are meant to serve the good of the Church and the building up of the body of Christ (cf. Can. 208). Hence, the Scripture affirms: โ€œIt was he who gave gifts to people; he appointed some to be apostles, others to be prophets, others to be evangelists, others to be pastors and teachers. He did this to prepare all God’s people for the work of Christian service, in order to BUILD UP the body of Christ” (cf. Eph 4:11-12). Therefore, gifts from God do not discriminate nor call for SELFISHNESS, ENVY and JEALOUSY but for mutual appreciation and for SERVICE. Remember, one of the SINS against the Holy Spirit is โ€œEnvy of another’s Spiritual Good” (cf. CCD n. 326). God’s gift to you should not set you against God but should sustain your moral life and make you DOCILE in readily obeying divine inspirations (cf. CCC nn. 1830-1831).

Also, RICHES that are RIGHTLY acquired are equally God’s gift. The Church admires such gift. However, the Church encourages her children to be careful with riches so that it will not be their source of damnation. Thus, โ€˜The LOVE of money is the ROOT of all evils’ (cf. 1 Tim 6:10). Riches should be for the service of God and humanity. The Rich who use their wealth against the service of God and humanity are called to conversion. Worse still are the Rich who deprive LABOURERS their JUST WAGES (CCC no 2434). It is important to bear in mind that one of the sins crying to heaven for VENGEANCE is โ€œDefrauding labourers of their wages” (cf. CCD no 327).

๐Ÿ‘‰๐ŸผFinally, we should always avoid OCCASIONS of SIN and giving of SCANDALS (cf. Matt 18:6-9). The Catechism teaches thus:

Scandal is an attitude or behaviour which leads another person into committing SIN. The person who gives scandal becomes his neighbour’s tempter. He damages virtue and integrity; he may even draw his brother into SPIRITUAL DEATH (cf. CCC no 2284).

For example, those who dress to SEDUCE others into Sexual Sins either physically or virtually (on the social media), are committing SCANDAL. Scandal is a GRAVE SIN that attracts grave punishment. About scandal, Jesus affirms: โ€œIf anyone should cause one of these little ones to lose faith in me, it would be better for that person to have a large millstone tied around the neck and be thrown into the sea… Woe to that person through whom TEMPTATION arises!”ย (cf. Matt 18:6-7, Mk 9:42, Lk 17:1-3).

We pray the Blessed Virgin Mary to always support us with her powerful intercession. Amen๐Ÿ™๐Ÿผ

Remain blessed!

contributor
Rev. Fr. David Okolie is a Priest of the Catholic Diocese of Okigwe, Imo State, Nigeria. He is a prolific writer, retreat preacher and social media evangelizer.

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