Buidling Up to Full Stature in Christ

Next Wednesday is Ash Wednesday and the beginning of a period of preparation for the renewal of our baptismal vows at the Easter Vigil or on Easter Sunday. It's time to start lining up what we need to do this year to make Lent fruitful.  Today's excerpts from the Letter of St. James (Jas 5:1-6) and the Gospel of Mark ( 9: 41-50) speak directly about eliminating behaviors that interfere with our relationship to Jesus. Neither speaks gently today of what we must do if we are to grow into full stature in Christ. James attacks those who cheat their workers of a just and fair wage to fatten their own hearts and pockets, and Jesus urges us to cut off whatever leads us to sin.  No mincing of words. We might reflect on where we are not only short-changing others, be they employers, employees, family or friends, but also God.  Where are we cutting corners to avoid the responsibilities we owe to God?  What do we need to cut out of our behavior towards others that alienates us from them or that demeans them?
We might become discouraged when we see how much clutter has accumulated in our souls since last Lent, but St. Paul's words to the Ephesians offer us hope and encouragement:  Grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ's gift....for the building up of the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the extent of the full stature of Christ.(Eph 4:7, 12-13).  In him we live and move and have our being.  ((Acts 17:28).
Bro. Rene