Confused About Scandal

[Melodeonist]

What exactly is scandal? I’m a bit confused about this subject.

After Ash Wednesday service, I went to a convenience store with the ash still on my head and got some lotto tickets. I know that lotto isn’t a sin unless you are an addict, but is it scandal to do seemingly innocent things like this with the ash on your head?

My reason for asking this is because it is possible that the cashier or a customer will spread gossip about a Catholic with ash on their head buying lotto tickets, but that’s a bit absurd.

 

[dshix]

The definition of scandal when we are referring to the sin of scandal as defined by the Catholic Church is as follows:

2284 Scandal is an attitude or behavior which leads another to do evil. the person who gives scandal becomes his neighbor’s tempter. He damages virtue and integrity; he may even draw his brother into spiritual death. Scandal is a grave offense if by deed or omission another is deliberately led into a grave offense.

No, it is not remotely scandalous to wear ash around in public.

 

[ClearWater]

Wearing ashes on Ash Wednesday is almost like reverse scandal! Well, scandal entices someone to do evil. Wearing ashes might remind someone it’s Ash Wednesday and encourage someone else to go to church.

 

[Melodeonist]

The definition of scandal when we are referring to the sin of scandal as defined by the Catholic Church is as follows:

2284 Scandal is an attitude or behavior which leads another to do evil. the person who gives scandal becomes his neighbor’s tempter. He damages virtue and integrity; he may even draw his brother into spiritual death. Scandal is a grave offense if by deed or omission another is deliberately led into a grave offense.

No, it is not remotely scandalous to wear ash around in public.

Thanks! That really clears it up!

 

[robertmidwest]

The definition of scandal when we are referring to the sin of scandal as defined by the Catholic Church is as follows:

2284 Scandal is an attitude or behavior which leads another to do evil. the person who gives scandal becomes his neighbor’s tempter. He damages virtue and integrity; he may even draw his brother into spiritual death. Scandal is a grave offense if by deed or omission another is deliberately led into a grave offense.

No, it is not remotely scandalous to wear ash around in public.

Ok here goes…

Many years ago I was at a public park watching my kids play. A man wearing a Knights of Columbus jacket approached me and started a conversation. It did not take long to realize this guy was intellectually disabled. He was high functioning enough that he was out in the park by himself but a few minutes of conversation made it obvious that he was not fully responsible for himself.

The conversation turned to religion since he was wearing a Knights Jacket. He was very very very devoted to the Catholic faith. But then he overshared with me a story that he was no longer in good favor with the council because he had worn the jacket into an adult book store. The management of the store called the council ratting him out since the council number was all over the jacket. My guess is he was disturbing the patrons and strippers.

It was way more info than I ever wanted to know (and probably more than CAF members wanted to know), but my point is: Wearing ashes in “public” could be scandalous in some circumstances.

 

[Mary_Estelle]

Essentually buying Lotto Tickets is gambling, but not scandalous. I think that your money could have been better spent during this Lenten season. Remember when you said you had no money to put in the collection plate…why back when? Now would be a nice time to add a little more to the basket or poor box. Peace.

 

[Melodeonist]

Essentually buying Lotto Tickets is gambling, but not scandalous. I think that your money could have been better spent during this Lenten season. Remember when you said you had no money to put in the collection plate…why back when? Now would be a nice time to add a little more to the basket or poor box. Peace.

I could be wrong, but I believe that back when I posted that thread I didn’t have a job yet. I give all my quarters I accumulate over the week which usually ends up to be somewhere between $2 and $7 but I could be wrong about the numbers. It’s the best use of the quarters because I never carry around coins.