When the Lord rebukes someone in the gospels, he is not offering a blank condemnation. There is usually a remedy for sin in the image Christ is using.

Think of the Sermon on the Mount. When Jesus says to cut off a hand rather than allowing it to lead to sin, he doesn’t want us to literally cut off our hands. He does want us to take seriously the consequences of the things we do with our bodies.

Today’s image in the gospel is no less gruesome. If we should cause a little one to stumble, why would it be better for us to be thrown into the sea with a millstone hanging around our necks?

In meditating on this question, perhaps we can see the true identity of the millstone and Christ’s powerful remedy. If we are a cause of sin to others, we are the ones who are the millstone, dragging down others into the depths of sin, death, and chaos.

There is visceral terror in the image of being weighed down and drowning. It strikes down any self-deception that sin “isn’t so bad.” No, that is a path that leads to death—a miserable death—suffocating amid arrogance and wickedness.

All is not lost. In today’s gospel, we read of reconciliation as well: if we repent of our wickedness, it is our brother’s duty to receive and forgive us. Not just once or twice but many, many times.

Lord, may we strive to live our lives in such a way that we raise up and encourage those around us. May we soberly reflect on the true weight of sin and by your grace avoid becoming that heavy millstone to ourselves and others. May we forgive and be forgiven as many times as needed. Amen.