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 

 

On Saturday we read that Jesus and the disciples departed from there 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.  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.'"   These repeated references to mutilation -- of a hand, or foot, or eye -- are an illustration of decisive action to avoid sin.  (Clearly, they are not meant to advocate literal amputation!)  This follows the teachings of Saturday's reading (above), in which Jesus taught, "If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all."  Following this teaching, He emphasized the lesson, taking a little child as example, and teaching,  "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 follows up with dire warnings against abuses of power, especially of  little ones, that is, not only children but all those who are least in the Church, in the social hierarchy.  Let us note that the warning is about causing the little ones to stumble.  One can only imagine the ways in which a corrupt leader can lead the littlest ones into corruption and stumbling as well.  These apostles to whom Jesus speaks will be the first bishops and pillars of the Church, so this lesson applies to all of us who follow.  If we consider what it means, there are a few images that immediately suggest themselves:  a hand may grasp what does not belong to it, or reach out to strike another.  A foot may tread or trespass where it is unwanted and unwelcome to go, an eye looks upon and covets what is not righteous and does not belong to oneself.  My study Bible suggests that this teaching also applies to harmful relationships that must be severed for the salvation of all parties (see Luke 14:26; 1 Corinthians 5:5).  The repeated warning of the dire fate for those who transgress these teachings comes from Isaiah 66:24.  It is an emphasis on the extreme seriousness of these particular teachings regarding such abuses, especially of power.

"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."   My study Bible says that to be seasoned with fire means being tested to see if one's faith and works are genuine (1 Corinthians 3:11-15).  In saying that every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt, Jesus is quoting Leviticus 2:13, in which salt stands for the remembrance of the covenant between God and God's people. 

 

Jesus' teachings on how one conducts oneself with power -- and particularly for these disciples, who will be the foundation of the building of the Church -- come as the strongest words we've read in the Gospel.  The warnings are dire and extreme for those who transgress these commands regarding abuses of the little ones; that is, those without power or standing.  And let us note once again that this warning is about causing the little ones to stumble.  In Matthew's Gospel, Jesus says, "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!" (Matthew 18:6-7).  For He Himself should be seen in the image of the little one, and not only Christ, but even the One who sent Him.  There is no stronger statement of emphasis possible beyond this.  Jesus takes this into even deeper territory by reminding them that this constitutes His covenant with them -- and with us -- and that therefore we must be seasoned with salt, or we ourselves become "worthless."  These teachings are so powerful in their stark sense of command.  Let us remember that at Jesus' time, considering the types of legal systems and penalties of the ancient world, it was no joke to speak of cutting off hand or foot or even the plucking out of an eye.  These are stern warnings about the seriousness of transgression of His commands regarding abuses of power, abuse of those least powerful, to those in whose footsteps the rulers of the Church and all the rest of us would follow.  The repeated warning in the words from Isaiah is about the fate of those who transgressed against the Lord.  Coupled with the image of the salt of covenant, the implication is clear regarding the transgression of this command in particular.  One can think of nowhere else Christ is so stern in His message, and it once again reinforces the true compassionate nature of God at the heart of our faith.  For Jesus defines here through His teachings a righteousness (or right-relatedness) between people that not only depends upon simple justice, but actually the practice of good stewardship toward the least powerful.  How could one find a more extreme image than the one Christ gives them (and us) when He takes a little child to Himself, and tells them if they receive such a little one then they are receiving Him, and not only Him but also even God the Father?   In Jesus' great critique of the Pharisees and scribes, He tells them, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves" (Matthew 23:15).  Here Jesus speaks in the most harsh terms possible to avoid this in the Church that will follow Him.   It is Christ who gives us our standards, and if we believe they are difficult to live up to, then let us concern ourselves with the grace with which we're blessed to follow His word.  Let us always remember we have been given the Holy Spirit to help us to find our way to live up to His word, to understand Him, and to bear our Church and faith into the world.  We must take seriously this mission, for it makes all the difference, and is part of Christ's legacy to the world.

 

 

 

 

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

 

 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, I 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, but 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, 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, I 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 comments that the disciples' question to Jesus (Who then is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?) indicates a selfish interest in worldly power.  Perhaps prompted by Jesus' twice-repeated warning about what is to come in Jerusalem (Matthew 16:21-28, 17:22-23), they have come to believe that the full manifestation of His Kingdom is imminent, and they want to know their "places" in it as His closest disciples.  But Jesus contradicts their assumptions about His Kingdom and how power works within it, by pointing to a little child as the model of true discipleship.  In so doing, He emphasizes the virtues which are required for entrance into the kingdom of heaven, described by my study Bible as humility, dependence, lowliness, simplicity, obedience, and a willingness to love and be loved.  In the iconography of the Orthodox church, this child shown as an example by Jesus is St. Ignatius of Antioch.  In certain legends of saints, he is the boy who gave the loaves and fishes (John 6:9).  Note that the gracious behavior Jesus emphasizes as the model for His Kingdom includes receiving even a little child in His name with the understanding that we receive Christ in so doing.

"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."  My study Bible comments that little ones include all who have childlike humility and simplicity, all who are poor in spirit.  

 

"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, but 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 comments that this reference to mutilation is an illustration of decisive action in order to avoid sin.  Christ is not advocating literal amputation.  This is a reference also to harmful relationships of any kind that must be severed for the salvation of all parties (see Luke 14:26; 1 Corinthians 5:5).  

Jesus teaches the disciples the value of humility:  that is, the need to understand what we now might call gracious behavior.  This is how the power of grace works within us and among us, through humility.  It is how we develop the fruits of the Spirit, which St. Paul names as love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, and about which he says, "Against such there is no law" (Galatians 5:22-23).  My study Bible names the virtues of the Kingdom as humility, dependence, lowliness, simplicity, obedience, and a willingness to love and be loved.   Jesus tells these men who will be His bishops and the founders and leaders of His Church that their chief need is humility and gracious behavior; they must know how to receive the "little ones" in His name, as if they were receiving Him.  Abusive behavior comes in many forms.  He cautions them most strongly against abuse of power, when He says, "For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!  If your hand or foot causes you to sin, but 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."   A hand or foot wanders where it shouldn't go, trespasses over boundaries, reaches out to grab what doesn't belong to oneself or is improper to oneself, an eye looks with covetousness, selfishness, greed.  Jesus is speaking of habits that we indulge which cause us to sin, and specifically to abuse positions of power or authority, opportunities which -- instead of being good stewards -- may be used to exploit others or what belongs to them.  We still live in a time when we must guard ourselves against stepping over lines we shouldn't cross.  We will never lose our need for humility in our faith.  Notions of greatness which are worldly continue to be based on how much power and influence we have, how far we can extend our own wills over other people or things.  But what we need to seek is God's will, and God's kingdom, and God's glory.  In this is our joy.  And the only way to do that, really, remains through humility.  The way to do that begins with Jesus' words at His most trying and difficult challenge of His human life, "Not as I will, but as You will" (Matthew 26:39).  As He teaches us Himself, "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven" (Matthew 7:21).  And this is how He teaches us to pray, "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name.  Your kingdom come.  Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:9-15).  For us to renounce what is commonly referred to in popular culture as our own "ego" -- our own way of thinking, our own assumptions, our desires and passions -- and to seek God's will as best we can is how humility works.  We begin there, and we seek the Spirit's life for us in place of all the things we absorb from the world, all the wrong things we've learned, all the bad habits, the false assumptions, the things we don't really understand or haven't yet learned.  We seek God's way for us, and from there everything else is born as the fruits of the Spirit which may be at work in our lives.  But as we can read in today's reading, in Jesus' words to us, it all starts with humility and our capacity for gracious behavior, which most assuredly includes a recognition of the little ones and our own responsibility for caring for the world as Christ asks us to do, for finding His way and not our own, for receiving even ones with no power or "currency" at all as if we were receiving Christ.  This way of thinking stands the world and its notions of power and influence on their collective head.  But we seek a will that is not just greater than our own limitations, but one which will work in us and expand us, grow us in the glory of God and the fruits it may produce.  Let us always keep that in mind as we continue in our lives, and God's will expands us through our own humility.

 

 

 

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

 

 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, I 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 Jesus and the disciples were staying in Galilee, Jesus said to them, "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, I 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 comments that this question is an indication of a selfish interest in worldly power.  Christ points to a little child as the model of true discipleship, and emphasizes in so doing the virtues which are required for entrance into the kingdom of heaven.  My study Bible lists them as humility, dependence, lowliness, simplicity, obedience, and a willingness to love and be loved.  In many Orthodox icons of this event, St. Ignatius of Antioch is depicted as the child.  In certain legends of saints, it is he who was 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 comments that little ones include all who have childlike humility and simplicity, all who are poor in spirit.  This is not the first time Jesus uses a metaphor of mutilation to illustrate decisive action in order to avoid sin; see also Matthew 5:29.  By these extremely vivid illustrations we should understand Christ's style of speaking in ways that will grasp the imagination of the listener to make His point.  He uses such images in order to convey to the disciples -- and to us -- the extreme seriousness of sin (in this case, offenses against the little ones in the Church who will be in their charge) and its consequences.  This metaphor of amputation can also be understood as a reference to harmful relationships that must be severed for the salvation of all parties (see Luke 14:26; 1 Corinthians 5:5).  

How powerfully do we take Christ's words about amputation?  Clearly we have to understand this as a metaphor for the fullness of who we are -- body, soul, and spirit -- and to understand that in the fullness of personal identity, sin is a potentially disfiguring and poisonous element that has the capacity to destroy the fullness of life in Christ and the Kingdom which He brings into this world.  Moreover, He refers clearly to the eternal life beyond this world, for His warning about "hell fire" is something we must take deeply seriously.  Let us keep in mind that He is speaking directly to His disciples, so these people to whom He's giving these dire warnings are the ones who have followed Him in faith, who are to be the pillars of His Church.  All of this simply emphasizes the power of what He is conveying to them about abuse and offenses.  In our consideration of what Jesus is saying, we must keep in mind the power of righteousness and its importance in this context.  That is, a righteousness that means "right-relatedness," the ways in which we live in relationship to God and to neighbor.  In this case, He is speaking directly to the disciples who seek eagerly to understand what important places may be in store for them in Christ's Kingdom which they may expect is imminent.  As Jesus has at this point warned them twice about His coming Passion and Resurrection, they have no doubt begun considering what this means, and this question goes to their places in this expected kingdom.  Popular expectations among the people were that the Messiah was to usher in a kingdom like King David's, and so the question reflects some of this understanding.  But Jesus' emphasis is on their responsibility which will come to them as those having important positions of authority in His Church -- and this He links directly with their treatment of the "little ones," those who will depend upon them for leadership in faith and the care of whose souls will be entrusted to them.  In this context, we understand Christ's words as a dire warning about abuses of power, taking advantage of those in their care.  His followers and faithful will be sheep in the care of His appointed shepherds, and if they in turn  lead astray then, "it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea."  In some sense, Jesus is warning all of us when He says, "For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!"  He is conveying the seriousness of a righteous life, and the understanding that faith is not simply a set of values or principles to which one ascribes, but the fullness of living that life of faith and producing the fruits of faith in how we make choices and the ways in which we seek to relate to others.  Here, of course, He speaks directly to those who will be responsible for all the flock of His Church.  But when He speaks of mutilation as preferable to living with sinful and selfish habits, there is no doubt He speaks of the destruction of the whole of the self by not seeking to be aware of our own behaviors and to correct them.  In this metaphor, we can understand how a hand can reach out where it doesn't belong, to harm or take advantage of another, to take what does not belong to oneself, or to abuse.  A foot can go where it doesn't belong, trespassing across boundaries of all kinds, trampling upon others with less power or authority.  An eye will covet what is not proper to a person, or look with lust upon another in ways that are purely selfish and harmful to community, especially upon a dependent "little one" who looks up to authority for guidance.  All of these things are proper to consider in Jesus' dire warning about real offenses and their consequences.  Most important, it seems to me, is the warning that our own selfish practices have the effect of destroying the fullness of who we are.  If we really were to consider that our own behavior which exploits or abuses others in some way is simply most harmful to ourselves, then how might we consider changing our conduct -- even cutting off bad habits in the same way a gangrenous foot, or fully infected eye might need amputation lest we are in danger of death of the whole body?  This is the way that Jesus speaks of offenses, and it is especially directed at those to whom he will entrust leadership in His Church, and care of the "little ones."  So let us each, in our own lives, take this admonition about righteousness, and "right-relatedness," as seriously as Jesus would have us do by these illustrations.  If we but understood the harm we do to ourselves, the destruction of our own lives by abuse and offense, how would we change our behaviors?  Let us take Him as seriously as He means for us to understand Him.  He begins today's reading by speaking about the essential nature of humility as a required virtue for entrance into the kingdom of heaven, indicating a deep need for us to change worldly perspectives radically in order to understand what it is to be a part of the life He offers.  In extending His discussion to notions of abuse and misuse of power, He illustrates what that means.  There is no better time than now to begin to take His advice most seriously, for we still live in a world that values what it can grab, and positions of authority as power to do so.  Unless we understand what it is to serve, and to open our eyes and hearts to His way, we will not find in the world the ways that Christ teaches us to live as part of His kingdom.

 

 

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 

 

On Saturday we read that Jesus and the disciples departed from the area of Caesarea Philippi (near the Mount of the Transfiguration) 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.  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.'"  Let us recall from Saturday's reading that Jesus has been teaching the disciples about gracious behavior, and about the nature of their calling as one of service to all.  This took place after they were disputing as to who would have the highest places in Christ's Kingdom, which they clearly expect at this stage will be a material, worldly kingdom.  My study Bible explains that little ones include all who have childlike humility and simplicity, all who are poor in spirit.  That is, the "little ones" in the Church, those of little power or low rank, and likely to be all the more dependent upon God.  This warning is one more way Jesus is teaching the disciples about their future behavior as bishops and stewards of His Church.  He is instructing them in their responsibility of caring for the "little ones" in their charge, and their use of the authority they will have.  Jesus quotes from Isaiah 66:24.  A hand may cause one to sin by reaching out for what does not belong to oneself, reaching out to strike another, or to abuse another.  All of these things would constitute abuse of power from one ranking higher than a "littler" one.  My study Bible reminds us that the references to mutilation are illustrative of decisive action to avoid sin, and not an advocacy for literal amputation.  This also refers to harmful relationships that must be severed for the salvation of all parties (see Luke 14:26, 1 Corinthians 5:5). 

"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.'"  Again, there is another warning about abuse of power.  A foot may go where it is not wanted, cross over a boundary it should respect, or be used to kick or trample upon another or on someone else's property.  Again, Jesus is warning about abuses of power to those who will have power and rank in His Church.  As such, these warnings have as much relevance today as they did to the disciples at the time they were given.

 "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 may look with envy or covetousness for what does not belong to it -- another person, or a material property.  It may also look with malevolence, jealousy, rage, malice, and a host of other ways of "seeing" or looking at others which are sinful.  Once again, Jesus is warning His disciples about abuses of power which may come with rank in His Church, and the importance of the care of the little ones in their care.  His dire warnings about hell fire remind us just how seriously these instructions are given, and how serious a violation of such a position of trust and leadership really is.

"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."  My study Bible comments that being seasoned with fire means to be tested to see if one's faith and works are genuine (see 1 Corinthians 3:11-15).  In saying that every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt, Jesus quotes Leviticus 2:13 -- in which salt stands for the remembrance of God's covenant with God's people. 

 

Jesus says that everyone will be seasoned with fire.   If everyone will be seasoned with this fire, then what is its nature?  Fire is often associated with the energy of holiness, and the Holy Spirit itself.  See, for example, the "tongues of fire" which seemed to illumine the disciples at Pentecost (Acts 2:3-4), or the chariot of fire by which Elijah went up to heaven (accompanied by a whirlwind, as happened also at Pentecost; see 2 Kings 2:11).  In Daniel 7:9-10, the Ancient of Days sits on a throne which is a "fiery flame, its wheels a burning fire" from which issues a "fiery stream."   This is not a vision of hell, but of heaven, and God on God's throne.  Clearly, then, this fire with which everyone will be seasoned does not only indicate hell fire.  It is, in fact, the fire of God, or the energies of God, with which we will all be seasoned.  Let us not forget, also, that for the ancient world light and fire could be synonymous, as all illumination (prior to the use of electricity) came via lamps or torches in which fire burned.  The real question remains, then, who will remain standing in that fire of the energies of God?  Like the purification of gold or other precious metal, fire is meant as an illustration of that which burns away impurities.  To cut off or remove a hand or eye or foot is a visceral illustration of separating oneself from sin, of casting off personal sin although it feels like one is cutting off a part of oneself.  Jesus speaks here, in vivid images to His disciples who will become the bishops and stewards of His Church, about their own tendencies which will be exacerbated in positions of power.  The need for them to use power to do good and to serve others, especially those who are "little ones" in terms of social stature and rank, is paramount.  As we can see from modern headlines as well as the illustrations throughout history (and including of powerful people in the New Testament at Christ's time), any personal tendencies toward sinful behavior are simply magnified with power and rank and the wealth that goes with it.  In a modern context, this would certainly include the power that comes with any type of celebrity, such as that of figures in sports and entertainment as well as politics.  When we look at Jesus' statements with this sobering and all-too-common fact of life in mind, we come to understand what He is talking about and why His warnings to the disciples about abuses of little ones are so emphatic and important.  If we're serious about our faith, we will take them seriously for ourselves as well.  How do we treat people of lesser status than ourselves, particularly in the context of Church?  Clearly Christ has in mind an institution for His Church that will be different from the institutions of power of the world.  He illustrates this when He says, "You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant" (Mark 10:42-43).  If we, who call ourselves His followers, do not endeavor to be representatives of the Church He has in mind, who will?  By the language He uses in today's reading, this is a personal mission He's given to each of us, part of our fidelity to Him.  Let us take His warnings as seriously as they are given to us.