Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost (26th in Ordinary)

What is the worst offence we can commit?  God is willing and able to forgive those who truly repent of their sins but in the Bible reading this week Jesus has stern words for one type of sin.  Jesus says, “Anyone who causes one of these little ones to sin, it would be better if he was thrown into the sea with a millstone around his neck”.  O. Henry tells the story of a little girl whose mummy died and who was brought up by her daddy.  Unfortunately, her daddy always ignored her and told her to go and play in the street by herself.  As she grew up, the inevitable happened – she took to the streets.  When she eventually died, Peter said to Jesus that she was a ‘bad lot’ and should be sent to hell.  Jesus replied, “no, let her in, but” Jesus added in a stern voice, “find the father who caused her to sin, and send him to hell.”