Responsible for others

Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfil them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, nor a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Therefore, whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5: 17-19)

Those who try to teach God's will with words but then contradict them in their life choices are considered "least" in the kingdom of heaven because in addition to being guilty of their own sin, they are held partly responsible for the sins committed by others as a result of their poor witness. Tonight, let us ask ourselves whether our daily choices have confirmed or denied the teachings of the Gospel.