Sermon: On Scandal

Sermon for the Second Sunday After Easter: "On Scandal", by St. Alphonsus de Liguori. “The wolf catcheth and scattereth the sheep.” (Jn. 10:12) In this powerful sermon, Saint Alphonsus de Liguori addresses one of the most destructive sins in the Christian life: scandal — giving occasion to the spiritual ruin of others through bad example, words, or actions. The saint explains with clarity and fire why scandal is so gravely displeasing to God. Every soul is infinitely precious to the Lord — created in His image, redeemed by the Blood of Christ, and destined for eternal glory. To destroy even one soul through scandal is to rob God of a child, to murder a soul for which Jesus suffered and died, and to wound Christ Himself. St. Alphonsus then describes the terrifying punishment reserved for those who give scandal: it would be better for them to have a millstone hung around their neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea. He shows how scandalous Christians act as ministers of the devil, doing more damage than many demons, and how God will demand an account for every soul lost through their fault. This sermon is a serious wake-up call for anyone whose words, actions, or example may be leading others into sin — whether through immodesty, bad language, ridicule of virtue, neglect in correcting children, or any form of bad example. It also warns the faithful to avoid the company of those who give scandal, even if they are close friends or benefactors. A strong, pastoral, and timeless message for every Christian who desires to protect both their own soul and the souls of others. Source: "Sermons for all the Sundays in the year" by St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori, Bishop of St. Agatha and Founder of the Congregration of the Most Holy Redeemer. Translated by Rev. Nicholas Callan. Eighth Edition. Dublin. James Duffy & Sons. 1882 Audio: Read by ancientchristian, Librivox https://bit.ly/3OUBz5j SOCIAL MEDIA: X: ⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/liguoriquotes⁠⁠⁠ ‎LISTEN / SUBSCRIBE Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@liguoriquotes⁠⁠⁠ Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/1mdAXMv1tPtyW1DMOI6IMS Apple podcasts: ⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/liguori-quotes/id1727358455 "Woe to that man by whom the scandal cometh." (Matt. 18:7.)