Example Speaks

 

 

Mk 9:38-43; 45; 47-48

Whoever Is Not Against Us Is for Us

³⁸ “Teacher,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.”

³⁹ “Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “For no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, ⁴⁰ for whoever is not against us is for us. ⁴¹ Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward.

Causing to Stumble

⁴² “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea. ⁴³ If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out

⁴⁵ And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell.

⁴⁷ And if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, ⁴⁸ where“‘the worms that eat them do not die, and the fire is not quenched.’

"Actions speak louder than words" goes the old saying we learned as children. It sums up today's Gospel neatly and succinctly.  We need such a "bullet" to hit us between the eyes and wake us up and put us back on the right track. We slip so easily into misbehaviors by cutting corners, or by following the false dictum that "everyone else is doing it, so why not me?" No, if Jesus recommends cutting off the foot that walks us into sin, then he would also require a substantial turn around in behavior that deviates from common sense, the commandments or the law of charity.  There's no cutting  corners; it's all or nothing.

Bro. Rene 

Dear God, help me to examine my words and behaviors and discard all that is contrary to your laws. Amen