Scandal taken at the sins of others betrays a deadly blindness to one's own sin, for all are sinners. When someone is who is weak in faith is led into sin by the words or actions of another, genuine scandal occurs. Christians scandalize others by claiming to be Christian while, for example, profaning the Lord'sDay. Scandal is an attitude or behavior which leads another to do evil. The person who gives scandal becomes his neighbor's tempter.
Scandal is a grave offense if by deed or omission another is deliberately led into a grave offense.
Scandal takes on a particular gravity by reason of the authority of those who cause it or the weakness of those who are scandalized. Scandal is grave when given by those who by nature or office are obliged to teach and educate others. Many are quick to praise Christ. Few possess the generosity and self-sacrifice to follow him closely by giving up mother, father, wife and children for his sake. It is a higher calling to anticipate the kingdom of heaven by embracing the will of Christ through the priesthood and religious life.