THROUGH UNTRUE
In some countries where the legal system is based on the Sharia Law, convicted thieves may have their hands amputated in public. This harsh measure highlights the evil consequences of stealing and serves to discourage similar action by others. Today's gospel reading appears to echo this sentiment, as Jesus states that one must cut off or pluck out any body part that causes a person to sin (Mark 9:43-49).
Some biographers of Origen, the renowned second-century theologian and biblical scholar, wrote that he took Jesus' words literally, allegedly castrating himself to avoid sexual promiscuity. Although other accounts dispute this, the rumor might have come from his public declaration to forsake everything in response to Jesus’s challenge: "For there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Let the one who is able to receive this receive it” (Matthew 19:12).
For sure, Jesus does not advocate self-mutilation as a prerequisite for virtuous living. Cutting off or removing small body parts would leave us damaged and incomplete. The reverse is actually what Jesus wants to emphasize: the importance of wholeness, completeness, and integrity. In the moral realm, integrity means the consistent and unwavering commitment to act according to ethical principles and to follow God's commandments even at the cost of great sacrifice. Often, we compromise our integrity not through big and spectacular moral transgressions but through small, seemingly minor ethical lapses that ultimately undermine our character. Small matters matter.
In the Old Testament, the first sin occurred when Adam and Eve chose to eat what appeared to be a seemingly insignificant and harmless fruit (Genesis 3:1-6). King David's fall from grace began with a single indiscreet glance at the woman, Bathsheba, which led to adultery and murder (2 Samuel 11:1-26).
Even in nature, “small” need not mean harmless. One of the deadliest creatures, more dangerous than crocodiles or snakes, is the tiny mosquito that kills millions of people annually by contaminating them with malaria and other diseases. Microscopic viruses and bacteria can wipe out a huge chunk of the population during pandemics.
Thus, when Jesus warns that we must pluck out our eyes or cut off our hands or feet if they lead us to sin, he underscores how small choices can destroy our integrity. For instance, many young people who struggle with online pornography often start with casual “window shopping” on the internet. Drug users frequently begin with a single puff. Corruption can stem from an innocent handshake. Syndicates of robbers and kidnappers often start as pickpockets or hold-uppers. Many notorious drug lords were once small-time pushers or users. Politicians who buy votes and rig election results, learned their trade through rampant cheating while in school.
The cumulative effect of what we consider “negligible” sins or offenses can even distort our self-perception. The more frequently we engage in small immoral actions, the quicker we perceive ourselves as less accountable. This shift alters how we respond to future ethical dilemmas, blurring the line between right and wrong. What was once evil begin to seem normal. One government official once remarked: “Cheating during elections is all right. As long as it is not massive.”
So, if we are frustrated by the state of our lives and our country, let us remember that our small, individual and collective wrong choices led us to where we are now.
If we experience blessings and rewards, it is because we have chosen to live ethically despite temptations. Conversely, if we currently face regret, guilt, and shame, it is not a result of divine punishment for our sins. We must remember this sobering truth: Sin brings its own punishment.