Stumbling Stones

Do you remember the time that Peter rebuked Jesus?  It happened when Jesus was talking about His suffering and dying.  Peter didn’t want to hear it and he rebuked Jesus. (Mark 8:31-33) Rebuking Jesus wasn’t such a bright thing to do.  Jesus rebuked Peter in return and it stung! He said to Peter: “Get behind me Satan!”

 

You may recall that Peter’s name means “rock”.  And in this instance Peter…the rock, has become a stumbling stone.  He is not helping Jesus.  He’s tripping him up!  Or, at least, trying to.

Makes me think about the ways we can be stumbling stones for each other.  Parents can be stumbling stones for their children when they give their children bad examples.  Friends can be stumbling stones to friends when they aren’t really honest with them.  And priests are horrible stumbling stones in our church when they abuse children. 

  

Who is a stumbling stone in your life sometimes?  How are you a stumbling stone to other people?  To whom do you go when you have been tripped up by someone?  Think of recent examples.