Stumbling Blocks on Our Faith Journey
08/06/10 09:01 Filed in: Faith
In today’s Gospel, Peter makes a small remark without realizing he has just cast a stumbling stone in the path that leads to calvary and the cross. Jesus quickly rebukes Him for his lack of faith, and the matter ends there. But sometimes our stumbling stones have long-lasting repercussions.
Sacred scripture contains 14 references to stumbling blocks. It’s an apt metaphor because all of us have stumbled at times; at other times, we have probably tripped up others by our words. deeds or example. A stumbling block need not be a big stone; it can be a small, sharp pointed pebble like the “scrupeus” (the root word for scruples) that worked their way into the sandals of Roman soldiers, causing them to stumble and fall.
In today’s Gospel, Peter makes a small remark without realizing he has just cast a stumbling stone in the path that leads to calvary and the cross. Jesus quickly rebukes Him for his lack of faith, and the matter ends there. But sometimes our stumbling stones have long-lasting repercussions.
The cobblestone streets of German cities now contain many “stubbling stones” – small brass plates inscribed with the names of Holocaust victims who once lived on those very streets. In order to read the engraved texts, you have to bend over in a slight bow, a show of respect for the deceased. Over time, the pedestrian traffic adds to the luster of the brass plates, making them difficult to overlook.
The first stones were set in place by the artist, Gunter Demnig, after he heard an elderly German woman claim there had been no Holocaust victims living in her area. She couldn’t see what was right in front of her.
Giving our mistakes a name can mean the difference between a stumble and a fall. However, it’s much easier to notice the mistakes, shortcomings and stumbles of others while overlooking the stones or small pebbles that sometimes trip us up.
What has become a hindrance to you on your faith journey? Have you given it a name? Is it still tripping you up?
In today’s Gospel, Peter makes a small remark without realizing he has just cast a stumbling stone in the path that leads to calvary and the cross. Jesus quickly rebukes Him for his lack of faith, and the matter ends there. But sometimes our stumbling stones have long-lasting repercussions.
The cobblestone streets of German cities now contain many “stubbling stones” – small brass plates inscribed with the names of Holocaust victims who once lived on those very streets. In order to read the engraved texts, you have to bend over in a slight bow, a show of respect for the deceased. Over time, the pedestrian traffic adds to the luster of the brass plates, making them difficult to overlook.
The first stones were set in place by the artist, Gunter Demnig, after he heard an elderly German woman claim there had been no Holocaust victims living in her area. She couldn’t see what was right in front of her.
Giving our mistakes a name can mean the difference between a stumble and a fall. However, it’s much easier to notice the mistakes, shortcomings and stumbles of others while overlooking the stones or small pebbles that sometimes trip us up.
What has become a hindrance to you on your faith journey? Have you given it a name? Is it still tripping you up?
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