Today, the Gospel presents us with three important themes. First, our attitude toward children. While other passages have praised the virtues of childhood, this one warns us about the harm that can be done to them.

To ‘scandalize’ does not mean to shock or surprise as we might assume. The Greek word used by the evangelist is ‘skandalon’, which means an object that causes someone to stumble or slip—like a stumbling block or a hidden obstacle. Children must be shown great respect, and woe to anyone who leads them into sin in any way (cf. Lk 17:1). Jesus warns of severe punishment for such a person, using a vivid and dramatic image. In the Holy Land, you can still see ancient millstones that resemble massive weights. Throwing the one who leads others astray into the sea with such a stone around their neck expresses a terrible judgment. Jesus uses language that borders on dark humor. Woe to us if we harm children or lead them into sin! And there are many ways to harm them: lying, fostering selfish ambition, pursuing success unjustly, or catering to their vanity.

Secondly, forgiveness. Jesus asks us to forgive as many times as needed, even if it’s repeatedly on the same day, as long as the other person is repentant, even if it pains our soul: 'If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him' (Lk 17:3). The measure of charity is the capacity to forgive.

Third, faith. More than a wealth of understanding (in a merely human sense), faith is a 'state of mind,' the fruit of experiencing God, and the ability to act with trust in Him. “Faith is the beginning of true life,” says St. Ignatius of Antioch. Those who act with faith can achieve amazing things, as the Lord says: “If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you” (Lk 17:6).