Matthew 18.2 Matthew 18.2 Cutting Off Stubling Blocks

We continue our discussion about Temptations to Sin which is a far worse fate for those who would temp others than to fall into sin. The Fathers reiterate Jesus in saying that whomever it is in one's life that may cause one to sin or who is not one who "does the will of my Father," should be cut off from us. While it is painful to remove people from our lives, if they are leading us to sin, we cannot have them in our close circles. Jerome tells us it is better to be alone than to have many people around us and fall into hell.