Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another

 

 "But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea.  If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off.  It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched -- where

'Their worm does not die,

And the fire is not quenched.'

"And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off.  It is better for you to enter life lame, rather than having two feet, to be cast into hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched -- where

'Their worm does not die,

And the fire is not quenched.'

"And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out.  It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire -- where 

'Their worm does not die,

And the fire is not quenched.' 

"For everyone will be seasoned with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt.  Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it?  Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another."

 

- Mark 9:42–50 

 

Yesterday we read that Jesus and the disciples passed through Galilee, and He did not want anyone to know it.  For He taught His disciples and said to them, "The Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of men, and they will kill Him.  And after He is killed, He will rise the third day."  But they did not understand this saying, and were afraid to ask Him. Then He came to Capernaum.  And when He was in the house He asked them, "What was it you disputed among yourselves on the road?"  But they kept silent, for on the road they had disputed among themselves who would be the greatest.  And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, "If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all."  Then He took a little child and set him in the midst of them.  And when He had taken him in His arms, He said to them, "Whoever receives one of these little children in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me, receives not Me but Him who sent Me."  Now John answered Him, saying, "Teacher, we saw someone who does not follow us casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow us."  But Jesus said, "Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in My name can soon afterward speak evil of Me.  For he who is not against us is on our side.  For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward."  

 

  "But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea."  This dialogue is a continuation from yesterday's reading, in which Christ spoke to the disciples about what it means to be great (see above).  In yesterday's reading, He took a little child, and taught, "Whoever receives one of these little children in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me, receives not Me but Him who sent Me."  Here, He continues His discussion of what it means to be a leader in His Church, and the treatment of the "little ones."  My study Bible comments that "little ones" include all who have childlike humility and simplicity, all who are poor in spirit.  These are the faithful who will come into the Church, and need their guidance, protection, teaching, and care.  Here He begins His warnings to those who would commit abuse or harm, violating their positions of trust and power, causing the little ones who believe in Him to stumble.

 

 

"If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off.  It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched -- where 'Their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.'  And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off.  It is better for you to enter life lame, rather than having two feet, to be cast into hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched -- where 'Their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.'  And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out.  It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire -- where  'Their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.'"  Here Jesus quotes three times from Isaiah 66:24.  Here Jesus warns strictly of the importance of avoiding sin, and doing whatever we can to do so.  My study Bible comments that the reference to mutilation is an illustration of decisive action to avoid sin -- this also refers to harmful relationships that must be severed for the salvation of all parties (see Luke 14:26; 1 Corinthians 5:5).  Jesus speaks symbolically but vividly, to make the strongest point He can regarding what sin does to us.  Let us consider that a foot can trespass over boundaries where it should not go; a hand can reach out to hit or to grab in covetousness; an eye may look with greed or envy or lust where it should not.  Let us keep in mind these warnings are the strongest for those in positions of authority and stewardship in His Church, and their treatment of the "little ones" who come to them in trust.  See also Matthew 5:29 in the Sermon on the Mount.

 

"For everyone will be seasoned with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt.  Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it?  Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another."   Jesus draws these images from various forms of sacrifice.  To be seasoned with fire, my study Bible comments, means to be tested to see if one's faith and works are genuine (see 1 Corinthians 3:11-15).  In saying every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt, my study Bible says, Jesus quotes from Leviticus 2:13, in which salt stands for the remembrance of God's covenant with God's people.  Jesus also uses these words about salt losing its flavor in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:13).  Salt had a meaning of binding people together in loyalty; it's also a symbol of our binding in covenant with God.  Therefore in loyalty to  Christ's teachings and covenant, we may have peace with one another. 

In our loyalty to God we are to adhere to Christ's teachings.  In particular, these teachings in today's reading on how we treat one another, and in particular about the use of power -- and the virtues of service -- become core values of how we are supposed to live our lives as faithful, and in community.  Christ's deepest, gravest warnings come to His disciples who will be leaders in His Church, and they are all about how power is used, and in particular the treatment of the "little ones," those without power or clout, with little social status.  As representatives of God's Kingdom, they must take these words to heart, and so must we.  This is a part of our covenant with Christ, the salt He asks us so vividly to retain as the flavor of His Church, His people in the world.  This strong sense of consideration is a powerful incentive for mindful care.  If, as Jesus taught in the reading from yesterday (see above), we're to see Christ in even the little ones we receive in the Church, then we must consider what kind of careful behavior that alerts us to bring to our relationships and community.  How is it we receive the people who are seemingly the least important?  As my study Bible commented in today's reading, the "little ones" aren't simply children.  This term indicates all those of lesser stature or status, the ones who come to Christ in faith and need teaching, leadership, community -- for all of these things contribute to our formation as followers of Christ and faithful.  So let us take Jesus' dire warnings -- thrice repeated for emphasis -- to heart, and learn what it means to be a part of this living kingdom of God He asks us to bear into the world, and among ourselves.  For we are the salt He asks us to be, and that is the flavor of life abundantly.

 

 

 

But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea

 

 "But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea.  If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off.  It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched -- where 

'Their worm does not die,

 And the fire is not quenched.'

"And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off.  It is better for you to enter life lame, rather than having two feet, to be cast into hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched -- where 

 'Their worm does not die,

 And the fire is not quenched.'

"And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out.  It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire -- where 

 'Their worm does not die, 

 And the fire is not quenched.'

"For everyone will be seasoned with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt.  Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it?  Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another."

 

- Mark 9:42-50 

 

Yesterday we read that Jesus and the disciples departed from the region of Caesarea Philippi and passed through Galilee, and He did not want anyone to know it.  For He taught His disciples and said to them, "The Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of men, and they will kill Him.  And after He is killed, He will rise the third day."  But they did not understand this saying, and were afraid to ask Him.  Then He came to Capernaum.  And when He was in the house He asked them, "What was it you disputed among yourselves on the road?"  But they kept silent, for on the road they had disputed among themselves who would be the greatest.  And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, "If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all."  Then He took a little child and set him in the midst of them.  And when He had taken him in His arms, He said to them, "Whoever receives one of these little children in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me, receives not Me but Him who sent Me." Now John answered Him, saying, "Teacher, we saw someone who does not follow us casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow us."  But Jesus said, "Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in My name can soon afterward speak evil of Me.  For he who is not against us is on our side.  For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward." 

 "But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea."  My study Bible comments that little ones include all who have childlike humility and simplicity, all who are poor in spirit.

"If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off.  It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched -- where 'Their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.'"  My study Bible comments that Christ's references to mutilation in today's passage (cut it off, pluck it out) are illustrations of decisive action to avoid sin.  They are not advocacy for literal amputation.  These images also apply to harmful relationships that must be severed for the salvation of all parties (see Luke 14:26; 1 Corinthians 5:5).  Jesus quotes from Isaiah 66:24.  Here we may consider the transgressions and selfish actions which a hand may commit against little ones; it reaches out to strike, or to grab something that does not belong to oneself.  A hand may point an accusing finger against the innocent.

"And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off.  It is better for you to enter life lame, rather than having two feet, to be cast into hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched -- where 'Their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.'"  A foot may trespass over boundaries not meant to be crossed, into territory where we don't belong.  It may be used to kick another, especially harmful to a "little one."  Let us note that such abusive actions may also be figurative, illustrative of actions that take place on a social or personal level of harm, insult, or injury in a psychological sense.

"And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out.  It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire -- where 'Their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.'"  An eye covets what does not belong to oneself, or it looks with envy and malevolence.  Our eye may also be "bad" or "evil" in the sense that we don't properly see the person we behold, but cast them in a false negative light. 

"For everyone will be seasoned with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt.  Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it?  Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another."  To be seasoned with fire is to be tested to see if one's faith and works are genuine, my study Bible teaches.  See 1 Corinthians 3:11-15.   As Jesus says every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt, He quotes Leviticus 2:13.  There, my study Bible explains, salt stands for the remembrance of God's covenant with God's people.  Because salt had preservative powers, was necessary for life, and has the ability to give flavor, it takes on religious and sacrificial significance.  To eat salt with someone, my study Bible adds, meant to be bound together in loyalty.  See also Matthew 5:13 in the Sermon on the Mount, in which Jesus calls believers "the salt of the earth."

Jesus seems to take great care here to caution the disciples against abuses of power -- especially abuses of the "little ones" in the Church.  These little ones can be thought of as all those who are humble, as my study Bible says, and those without clout or power, who come to faith within that framework of the poor in spirit who need and depend upon God and their faith.  As we know all too well thanks to popular notions of psychology, abuse (especially to the powerless, "little," or humble) often leads to great harm to a person -- making it that much more likely they will sin and pass on that harm and abuse to others.  We would do well to remind ourselves over and over again that the whole point of Christ's teaching is here, when He says, "But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea."  To cause one of these little ones to stumble could mean to place a stumbling block or snare before them, such as false or misleading teachings that include abuses of power by those who would be hierarchs or authorities in the Church.  Such stumbling blocks and temptations may also include various forms of abuse itself, of which we have become all too aware in the Church, or practices that scandalize the little ones and help to drive them away or to reject the faith.  Recovery from such stumbling blocks and scandals can be long and hard, and one must overcome one's own bad experiences in order to return to the road of faith, especially within the Church.  When we look at scandals, abuses, and bad practices, particularly within the purview of the Church -- or even by believers who are, after all, representatives to the world of our faith -- then we should think of these verses.  They are strong (indeed, the strongest possible) advocacy by Jesus to look to our own behaviors and take all measures to correct them.  This is the case even if changing one's own habits feels as difficult as cutting off a cherished body part (a hand, a foot, an eye).  Christ's thrice-repeated reminder of an eternal torment (Isaiah 66:24) is the strongest possible warning against offenses that cause the little ones who believe in Him to stumble.  Equally stunning is His remark that it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea."  Since we know that Jesus does not choose words flippantly or lightly, we'd better pay close attention to that word, "better," for this is again a dire and stark warning.  In Luke 12:48, Jesus says in reply to a question by Peter, "For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more."  Therefore we must consider that the greater the responsibility, and the more understanding we have of our faith, the more incumbent Christ's warnings become for us.  For it is yet another temptation to let greater authority persuade us that we may relax our own diligence and self-awareness.  In truth, the need we have for vigilance in this respect only grows in such circumstances.  Perhaps that's why it is wisdom to consider that whoever desires to be first shall be last of all and servant of all.  As we are each ambassadors for our faith in some sense, as we may each represent our faith to others, Christ's words remain essential to our awareness.  Let us consider as well another teaching from yesterday's reading, that when we behold one of the little ones who belong to Him (in His name), we not only behold Christ, but also the Father who sent Him.  Once again, as we remind ourselves that we are in Lent, let us receive Christ's words with all the seriousness with which He gives them to us.

Woe to the world because of offenses!

 

 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who then is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"  Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, "Assuredly,  say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.  Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.  Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.

"But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.  Woe to the world because of offenses!  For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!  If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you.  It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the everlasting fire.  And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you.  It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire."

 

- Matthew 18:1-9 

 

Yesterday we read that while they were staying in Galilee, Jesus said to the disciples, "The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men, and they will kill Him, and the third day He will be raised up."  And they were exceedingly sorrowful.  When they had come to Capernaum, those who received the temple tax came to Peter and said, "Does your Teacher not pay the temple tax?"  He said, "Yes."  And when he had come into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, "What do you think, Simon?  From whom do the kings of the earth take customs or taxes, from their sons or from strangers?"  Peter said to Him, "From strangers."  Jesus said to him, "Then the sons are free.  Nevertheless, lest we offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first.  And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you."

 

  At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who then is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"  Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, "Assuredly,  say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.  Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.  Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me."  My study Bible says that this question, "Who then is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" indicates a selfish interest in worldly power.  Jesus points to a little child as the model of true discipleship, and thereby emphasizes the virtues required for entrance into the kingdom of heaven.  These are, as listed by my study Bible, humility, dependence, lowliness, simplicity, obedience, and a willingness to love and be loved.  St. Ignatius of Antioch is depicted in Orthodox iconography as this child.  In certain legends of saints, he is the boy who gave the loaves and fishes (John 6:9).

"But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.  Woe to the world because of offenses!  For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!  If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you.  It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the everlasting fire.  And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you.  It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire."  My study Bible explains that little ones include all who have childlike humility and simplicity; all those are poor in spirit (Matthew 5:3).  Jesus made similar statements in the Sermon on the Mount, likening the need for decisive action to avoid sin to the necessary amputation of a diseased limb to prevent the death of the whole body (Matthew 5:29-30).  My study Bible adds that this illustration of avoidance of sin also refers to harmful relationships that must be severed for the salvation of all parties (see Luke 14:26; 1 Corinthians 5:5).

Today is a day in the United States when traditionally families and friends gather to celebrate Thanksgiving, a national holiday declared by President Abraham Lincoln in the midst of a violent civil war.  In President Lincoln's Thanksgiving Proclamation we can read his desire that such a day to give thanks to God would help to bring unity and restore the things that make for peace amidst so much loss.  But in that context, we might try to ask what it means to cut off harmful relationships that must be severed for the salvation of all parties, to which my study Bible refers us in Christ's vivid illustration.   Jesus takes the image of a hand, an eye, a foot which is diseased -- it causes one to sin -- and so must be amputated for the salvation of the whole body (in this case, implying the soul).  If we think of patterns of behavior in the terms of Christ's metaphor, we see the genius at work in these words:  a hand can reach out for what doesn't belong to it, it can strike someone, or commit other abuses.  A foot can walk where it is not welcome, trespassing over boundaries that should not be crossed.  An eye sees by beholding beauty or the good -- or through covetousness to look in predatory fashion, or glare with envy and evil upon another (this is what is meant by evil eye), leading to malice and great harm.  These are all examples of offenses, in particular those which are easily done to the powerless, the little ones, those who look up to leadership for guidance, good structure, care, and true shepherding.  In certain relationships, abuses and harmful behaviors only cause "offenses" to spread.  We might have friends who use a lot of drugs, and drag us into a destructive lifestyle.  Or perhaps there are those addicted to gossip.  We might not like it, but we are dragged into the malice of stories about things we haven't seen and don't know are true, things told out of a desire to malign and take down others who might have something good to envy, and without their side of the story.  Have you ever been hurt by a friend who listened to untrue gossip, and then behaved as if it were all true?  Imagine the harm in the eyes of God to treat a friend who's done nothing against you as if they are suddenly an enemy -- based on a lie someone told you.  We see such manipulation happening all the time, even on a grand scale, when false motivations are attributed to someone, when footage is manipulated and projected on social media, when words are twisted to mean something entirely unintended.  Such things go on everywhere -- in the most intimate of circumstances such as within family, and even to the greater scale of nations and the world in international dimensions (and frequently are done deliberately for this effect).  We have a responsibility to separate ourselves and even sever relations, as my study Bible indicates, to stop the progress of such evil things in their tracks.  This is because it is in the nature of such behavior and the things it spreads to progress; they do not remain simple one-time facts or events that have no effect.  It is similar to the spiritual path a person is on:  one is either going in a good direction or one needs to turn around, to repent.  There is no standing still.  Abuse within families leads only to greater harm the more it is enabled and allowed to continue.  Sin spreads and infects more relationships, even transmitting to generations.  Jesus' admonition to act decisively to amputate what is diseased and will in turn infect other parts of the body -- eventually leading to death of the whole body unless severed -- is an important illustration of the ways that sin works among us, within us, and in our communities of whatever size and depth of relationship we can name.  We say that family and friendships, and loyalties of all kinds are cherished and prized -- but not if they spread harm, or horror, or a kind of spiritual disease that does no one any good and only spreads trauma.  If the greater thing that results from being together is more harm, unfair treatment, anger, harsh strife or other new and additional sin, we must rethink what it means to cherish.  We have to consider where we go and what we do, and every word that proceeds from our mouths (Matthew 12:36), because our choices have effects which spread to others, and also damage the souls within ourselves.  We are to seek to live, on the other hand, by "every word that proceeds from the mouth of God," so that we walk a good path, make a  good contribution to the world, and strengthen the good among the relationships we prize and in those whom we love.  Let us be grateful today for the good things we can receive and share, and the power to discern what we do not want, for the greater good of us all.

 

 

 

 

But let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No.' For whatever is more than these is from the evil one

 

 "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not commit adultery.'  But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.  If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.  And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.  

"Furthermore it has been said, 'Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.'  But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery.

"Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.'  But I say to you, do not swear at all:  neither by heaven, for it is God's throne; nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.  Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black.  But let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No.'  For whatever is more than these is from the evil one."

 

- Matthew 5:27-37 

 

We are currently reading the Sermon on the Mount.  In yesterday's reading, Christ said, "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.'  But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment.  And whoever says to his brother, 'Raca!' shall be in danger of the council.  But whoever says, 'You fool!' shall be in danger of hell fire.  Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way.   First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.  Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison.  Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny."

 

  "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not commit adultery.'  But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart."  My study Bible comments that the issue here is not the God-given mutual attraction of men and women, but rather the selfish promptings of lust.  Sin does not come out of nature, but out of the distortion of nature for self-indulgence.  Thoughts that enter the mind involuntarily are not sins, but temptations.  They become sins only when they are held and entertained.  

 

"If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.  And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell."  My study Bible says that this imagery is not to be taken literally, but refers to decisive action to avoid sin and to continue in purity.  Moreover, if we examine this closely, we see that the right eye corresponds to a man looking at a woman with lust who is not his wife, and likely is married to another, thus emphasizing the selfish and covetous nature of lust as addressed to Christ's disciples in this sermon, and in the verses immediately following which discuss divorce.  A right eye may cast a covetous look, a right hand may reach out to grasp what does not belong to it.  In both cases, even a precious right eye or hand may be better to lose than one's whole body be cast into hell.  In a note on Matthew 18:8, my study Bible also adds that this imagery may be applied to severing relationships for the sake of the salvation of all parties.

"Furthermore it has been said, 'Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.'  But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery."   In contrast to the easy access to divorce offered under the Mosaic Law, and also because of the misuse of divorce in that day, Jesus repeatedly condemns divorce (see also Matthew 19:8-9) and He emphasizes the eternal nature of marriage, my study Bible explains.  It notes that the possibility of divorce on the grounds of sexual immorality shows that marriage can be destroyed by sin.  (Clearly this is true of all relationships, and marriage is, importantly, no exception.)  

"Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.'  But I say to you, do not swear at all:  neither by heaven, for it is God's throne; nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.  Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black.  But let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,''No.'  For whatever is more than these is from the evil one."   My study Bible comments that trust cannot be secured by swearing an oath by things that are not in man's possession anyway, but only by simple integrity.  

Jesus' last direction and command here emphasizes the importance of honesty and humility in all things.  It builds upon the command regarding anger in yesterday's reading (see above), and also the commands regarding both lust and adultery.  That's because if we follow Christ's thinking here, we will see that He is advocating a kind of honesty that is steeped in humility, in limiting ourselves to what is truly real and not getting beyond ourselves.  Jesus makes this very clear when He says, "Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black."    That is, our own heads should not swell with attributes, powers, and an inflated sense of ourselves that goes far beyond our own reality.  He says, "But let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,''No.'  For whatever is more than these is from the evil one."  Perhaps the most gruesome story of corrupt excess in the New Testament is the story of the beheading of John the Baptist, found in Matthew's Gospel at Matthew 14:1-12.  The bloody beheading of the great prophet comes out of a rash oath sworn by Herod, something that makes him not only pathetically foolish but a man deluded, infantile, and we might say not much of a man at all.  The text even tells us that the king was sorry (verse 9).  Mark's Gospel adds that "Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him. And when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly" (Mark 6:20).  And yet, despite this, and because of a senseless oath borne out of excess, he nonetheless consents to this awful beheading of John, which results with the saint's head served on a platter at the king's birthday party.  It's hard to imagine a more diabolical horror story, but that is the nature of what we're talking about. Jesus underscores the lesson when He says, "But let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,''No.'  For whatever is more than these is from the evil one."   It might not seem that something one has sworn to out of the need to impress, or perhaps from too much to drink, or maybe from simply a swollen ego, can result in great disaster -- but we really should not take these stories lightly.  For they tell us about human nature and the result of our own misguided foolishness in not knowing ourselves better, and in not understanding how each of us has a need for an enforced, deliberate humility in order to have the discipline necessary for an honorable and honest life.  We live in an age where social media has turned virtually everyone into their own Public Relations agent, and all kinds of things are exaggerated for a photograph or to make an impression.  But this is not the way that Christ has taught us to live, and it is not the way that the Gospels teach us about life and how precious it is.  Perhaps we should say that to become humble, to bear life's circumstances with the meekness that is all about strength and courage and discipline no matter where we find ourselves, is to accept wisdom and bear it into the world.  This is how we keep our heads and wits about us, and it is the only way to cultivate true and good leadership.  For we know what happens with bad.

 

 

Everyone will be seasoned with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt

 "But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea.  If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off.  It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched -- where

'Their worm does not die
And the fire is not quenched.'

And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off.  It is better for you to enter life lame, rather than having two feet, to be cast into hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched -- where

'Their worm does not die
And the fire is not quenched.'

And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out.  It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire -- where

'Their worm does not die
And the fire is not quenched.'

"For everyone will be seasoned with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt.  Salt is god, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it?  Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another."

- Mark 9:42-50

Yesterday we read that Jesus and the disciples left the area of Caesarea Philippi and passed through Galilee, but He did not want anyone to know it.  For He taught His disciples and said to them, "The Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of men, and they will kill Him.  And after He is killed, He will rise the third day."  But they did not understand this saying, and were afraid to ask Him.  Then He came to Capernaum.  And when He was in the house He asked them, "What was it you disputed among yourselves on the road?"  But they kept silent, for on the road they had disputed among themselves who would be the greatest.  And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, "If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all."  Then He took a little child and set him in the midst of them.  And when He had taken him in His arms, He said to them, "Whoever receives one of these little children in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me, receives not Me but Him who sent Me."  Now John answered Him, saying, "Teacher, we saw someone who does not follow us casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow us."  But Jesus said, "Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in My name can soon afterward speak evil of Me.  For he who is not against us is on our side.  For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward."

 "But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea."  Jesus speaks of the little ones in the context of the disciples' responsibilities as the future leaders of His Church.    This is a continuation of His discourse from yesterday's reading, in which He addressed the disciples' arguments with one another over who would be the greatest in His Kingdom -- in other words, their dispute over who would have the highest positions of honor in what they likely think is a worldly kingdom to come.  His primary teaching is on the essence of humility as requirement for greatness.   Their charge will be the little ones; my study bible says that "little ones" include all who have childlike humility and simplicity, all who are poor in spirit.  These are the ones who will populate His Church; from the great to the least, the disciples must be servants of all.  In yesterday's reading, He told them that to receive even a little child in His name is to receive Him, and whoever receives Him receives also the Father who sent Him.

"If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off.  It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched -- where  'Their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.'  And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off.  It is better for you to enter life lame, rather than having two feet, to be cast into hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched -- where 'Their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.'  And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out.  It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire -- where 'Their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.'"  What is it to have ascetic discipline in the Church?  In Jesus' words here, it is everything.  Humility is only possible through self-knowledge and constant discipline, exercise if you will, to beware of our own weaknesses to behaviors that can't uphold this mission in the world.  A hand may want to take something that doesn't belong to it, to abuse someone lower in power and stature.  A foot goes where it shouldn't or perhaps strikes a blow, an eye is cast upon something one may covet.  Each speaks to a proper boundary crossed, an abuse of another -- most likely one with less power, a "little one."  What Jesus is teaching here will remain of central importance to the faith and should never be forgotten.  To be good disciples, we need always be aware of our weaknesses and the discipline necessary to spiritual growth in His image.  To be true leaders requires this kind of watchfulness and a willingness to sacrifice our own failings that get in the way of the grace He teaches.  The repeated quotation is from Isaiah 66:24.   Repeated three times, this warning about abuse, the capacity to mislead for selfish purposes, is the most dire Jesus will give.  It applies to all of us. 

"For everyone will be seasoned with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt.  Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it?  Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another."   We will all be tested; each one of us must struggle to be aware of our own weaknesses and temptations, and do something about it.  My study bible says that we're tested to see if one's faith and works are genuine (see 1 Corinthians 3:11-15).   Every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt is a quotation from Leviticus 2:13, in which salt stands for the remembrance of God's covenant with God's people.   We must remember to whom we owe our loyalty, and let that awareness "season" all our relations with others.

We have to remember the context which Jesus addresses:  immediately after they're told that Jesus will suffer and die and rise on the third day, the disciples are disputing with one another over who is going to be greatest.  That is, who will have the positions of honor in the worldly kingdom they think is coming.  Jesus must prepare them for the Church, for the time in which He is no longer with them in the flesh.  How are they to be the pillars He wants them to be?  The first mission is service which comes only through humility.  They must receive even the littlest child as if they receive Him, and the Father who sent Him.  Considerations of levels of power and rank are the furthest thing from how He wishes them to conduct themselves.  They dispute with one another; they must learn self-discipline.  What they want, what they seek for themselves, the positions they want in this kingdom they suppose is coming -- and all that might accompany such -- will be subjected to a fire and must be seasoned with the salt of loyalty to the One whom they serve.  Sacrifices made involve a willingness to do away with selfish motivation, the things that get in the way of serving the least among them.  Modern life doesn't seem to ask us for this type of self-sacrifice, unless possibly we're speaking about losing weight so we look good (and yes, for our health), or training for an athletic event, or the discipline we need to perform our jobs.  But in a spiritual context, Jesus' goals of ascetic discipline are all about an internal kind of work and training.  He asks us to be aware of our impulses that cause excess, abuse, exploitation, the crossing of boundaries, trespassing where we're not to go.  In their competition with one another, the disciples dispute who will be greatest.  But He asks them instead to discipline themselves with loyalty to the goals He gives them, loyalty to covenant and Creator who loves and is found even in the little ones of least stature, even in the little children.  This kind of discipline and training involves looking to ourselves for the places in which we're tempted to trespass, for our own weaknesses.  It's not all sweetness and light; the grace He offers clearly works hand in hand with our own responsibility to cooperate and grow in this covenant, in light of our loyalty.  We may be blessed, but grace is a kind of fire.  It is an energy of God within which we stand and are transformed -- or resist its urging to cast out what is not helpful.  This is internal work, spiritual struggle, and part and parcel of the faith.  Grace comes together with the need to follow where it leads, the urging for personal change.  What is the discipline of faith?  Let us remember the salt of love and loyalty, the fire of God's love which tests and purifies, the peace with one another He asks.