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 

 

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.

 

 

 

 

Whoever receives one of these little children in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me, receives not Me but Him who sent Me

 

 Then they 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.'

"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 9:30-50

 

Yesterday we read that when Jesus came to the disciples (as He came down from the Mount of Transfiguration), He saw a great multitude around them, and scribes disputing with them.  Immediately, when they saw Him, all the people were greatly amazed, and running to Him, greeted Him.  And He asked the scribes, "What are you discussing with them?"  Then one of the crowd answered and said, "Teacher, I brought you my son, who has a mute spirit.  And wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid.  So I spoke to Your disciples, that they should cast it out, but they could not."  He answered him and said, "O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you?  How long shall I bear with you?  Bring him to Me."  Then they brought him to Him.  And when he saw Him, immediately the spirit convulsed him, and he fell on the ground and wallowed, foaming at the mouth.  So He asked his father, "How long has this been happening to him?"  And he said, "From childhood.  And often he has thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him.  But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us."  Jesus said to him, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes."  Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!"  When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it:  "Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and enter him no more!"  Then the spirit cried out, convulsed him greatly, and came out of him.  And he became as one dead, so that many said, "He is dead."  But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose.    And when He had come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, "Why could we not cast it out?"  So He said to them, "This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting."

 

 Then they 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.   My study Bible comments that Jesus here predicts His death and Resurrection a second time (see this previous reading) to show that He is going to His passion freely, and not being taken against His will.  

 

 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."   Perhaps Jesus' warnings about His Passion, and especially that He will rise on the third day has convinced the disciples that He will come into a worldly kingdom as Messiah, and thus they had disputed among themselves who would be the greatest in that kingdom.  But my study Bible comments that such a question indicates a selfish interest in worldly power.  Jesus points to a little child as the model of true discipleship, and thus emphasizes the virtues which are required for entrance into Christ's kingdom.  My study Bible names those virtues of the "little child" as humility, dependence, lowliness, simplicity, obedience, and a willingness to love and be loved.  In the iconography and tradition of the Orthodox Church, St. Ignatius of Antioch is depicted as this child.  In certain legends of saints, he is the boy who gave the loaves and fishes in John 6:9.   Let note that the kind of humility, and expression of love, that Christ asks for is to condescend to even a little child, in the same sense that Christ as Son so deeply condescended to become one of us as human being.  Within the name of Christ ("whoever receives one of these little children in My name") there are no disparities; this is a communion and kingdom of love.

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."  According to Theophylact, John makes this comment with regret, and his conscience has been pricked by what Christ said earlier.  But St. Ambrose, on the other hand, sees John as expected full obedience to accompany such blessings.  But in either interpretation, Christ's response teaches us that those who act in good faith are not excluded, even if they are not currently numbered among the disciples.  Theophylact writes (on the similar passage at Luke 9:46-50), "See how divine grace is at work even in those who are not His disciples" (see also Numbers 11:24-30).  On those who use Christ's name without good faith see Luke 11:23; Acts 19:13-16.   Once again, let us notice in this passage the pervasive nature of the communion between those who act in good faith in Christ's name.  Any act of kindness or compassion in His name, no matter how seemingly small or trivial ("a cup of water to drink, because you belong to Christ"), results in the same outcome, one will by no means lose one's 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 adds that little ones include all who have childlike humility and simplicity, all who are poor in spirit (Matthew 5:3).  Here Jesus makes it clear that not only are the good things we do in His name rewarded, but to harm the "little ones" -- the humble and meek of the Church, those with less agency and power, and especially those dependent upon teachers such as these disciples will be -- will result in disaster for the one responsible for misleading them, and causing them to stumble.  The power and authority of the name of Christ works both ways:  for the good, and against abuse.

"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.'"  This reference to forms of mutilation is an illustration of decisive and strong action, deliberately shocking as it is meant to give us a sense of what measures we are to go to in order to prevent abusive behavior.  It's not an advocacy of literal amputation, but an illustration regarding what it is to avoid sin, to cut off even what is so habitual that it feels as if it is indeed a part of ourselves.  A hand may go where it is not welcome, intruding upon others, to take what does not belong to the person.  A foot may hurt, or cross boundaries not open to it, treading upon others or where it should not go.  An eye may gaze with covetousness or with envy, or even malice.  My study Bible comments that these illustrations of drastic steps to cut off sinful behavior can also refer to harmful relationships that must be severed for the salvation of all parties (see Luke 14:26; 1 Corinthians 5:5).  Jesus quotes from the prophesy of Isaiah 66:24.

 

"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 explains that to be seasoned with fire means to be tested to see if one's faith and works are genuine (see 1 Corinthians 3:11-15).  When Christ states that every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt, He quotes from Leviticus 2:13, in which salt stands for the remembrance of God's covenant with God's people.  Especially for the ancient world, but still today, salt had preservative powers, was necessary for life, and the ability to give flavor.  Thereby it had religious and sacrificial significance.  My study Bible explains further that to eat salt with someone meant to be bound together in loyalty.  In Matthew 5:13, Jesus says to His disciples, "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men."

Jesus gives the starkest warnings possible regarding abuses of power and authority in His Church, especially in harming or misleading the "little ones."  As my study Bible says, "little ones" does not refer only to little children, but to those who are simple and have the heart of the poor, all those who are poor in spirit and look to the authorities and teachers in the Church for guidance.  Overall, Jesus gives to the disciples a clear sense of the power and authority regarding actions done in His name.  The smallest and least significant act of charity done in His name ("a cup of water to drink") results in reward for those who do so because the recipient belongs to Christ.  And, on the other hand, Jesus gives the starkest and most shocking warnings possible -- in language that is meant to startle and cause the hearer to pay attention -- regarding doing harm to the little ones in the Church.  In this way, the disciples who apparently were engaged in a somewhat too flippant dispute regarding who would be greatest (have the most powerful positions) in the kingdom they anticipate, are startled into the solemnity of their future service in the Church, and what powerful forces are at work in their choices.  Humility is the number one requirement, an understanding of what it means to be like a "little child" and what it means to care for the "little ones" -- being aware and mindful of how they function as future leaders and pillars of the Church.  It is time for Christ to give them a strong lesson in what leadership will mean in His kingdom, in His Church, and for the missions that will be ahead of them in service to Christ and in His name.  We should seek to pay equally close attention to Christ startling words and images, and take it equally seriously in terms of how we live out our faith, and what it means to show real leadership and shoulder such responsibility.  How would our lives look if we all took the power of acting in Christ's name so seriously as He describes it?  What would that look like if we were so careful of the little ones -- or so conscientious about the harm we might do?  Let us also pay close attention to Christ's words when He says that dire consequences would follow for one who "causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble."  Perhaps we might try to imagine what it would mean to cause one of them to stumble:  a misleading teaching, some form of abuse that results in terrible consequences and problems to deal with, or abuse of a darker kind that misleads and causes little ones to stumble.  There are all kinds of ways we might imagine what He is talking about -- but there is no doubt about the stark nature of His warning and the consequences to ourselves, and especially for those in positions of leadership.  Let us consider the powerful words Christ has reserved for this occasion, because He does not always speak so harshly.  Let us only imagine the real power of the teaching that we are to hear Christ's sayings (teachings) and do them (Matthew 7:24-25), and to keep His words, remembering that "the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me" (John 14:24).  Jesus gives us a taste, a stark clue, of the power that is at work in those words either to harm or to do good -- and how that power will also be at work in the ones who use it for good or for ill (to cause a little one to stumble).   Let us think about how powerful a force our own lives can be if we choose to live them in good faith.   For, after all, to receive a little one in His name is not only to receive Christ, the also the One who sent Him.

 

 

 

 

For 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 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 into 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 on 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."  We remember that Jesus is still speaking to those who will be His bishops, teachers, and leaders in His Church (see yesterday's reading, above).  He is teaching them what it means to be great in His kingdom.  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 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 into 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 yo 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.'"   Jesus is still speaking about abuses of power in His Church, what kind of leadership or "greatness" He expects His disciples to have, as those who will be in charge of guidance for the "little ones" in His Church, the ones who will be in their spiritual care.  My study Bible comments that Jesus' repeated references to mutilation are illustrations of decisive action to avoid sin, and is certainly not advocating literal amputation.  It notes also that these are references 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.

"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 (see 1 Corinthians 3:11-15).  When He says that every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt, Jesus is quoting Leviticus 2:13, in which salt stands for the remembrance of God's covenant with God's people.  Jesus refers to His disciples as salt and light in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:13-16), where He calls them the "salt of the earth."  Salt had a sacrificial significance because of its preservative powers, necessity for life, and ability to give flavor, to which Jesus refers both here and in the Sermon on the Mount (see also Numbers 18:19, 2 Chronicles 13:5).  To eat salt with someone meant to be bound together in loyalty.  As the salt of the earth, my study Bible comments, Christians are preservers of God's covenant and give true flavor to the world.  

Jesus makes several references to sacrifice in today's reading.  We know the context of the sacrifices in the temple, and also Jesus' objections to the ways in which the system of animal sacrifices worked in the temple, especially in terms of money and the poor (see the cleansing of the temple at Mark 11:15-18; and His teaching regarding the poor widow, especially in contrast to His teaching on the scribes which immediately precedes it, at Mark 12:39-43).  In today's reading, Jesus teaches His own disciples His notions about power and its use  in His kingdom and, of course, in the Church meant to be a conduit of that Kingdom into the world.  They will be the leaders of the Church, and their leadership must be like His, contrasting significantly with the things He criticizes of the religious leadership in His time.  Jesus' whole ministry, and in particularly His own sacrifice on the Cross which is yet to come at this point in the Gospel narrative, will transform notions of power and how power is connected to sacrifice.   The sacrifices of the temple will come to an end, but Christ will make a once-for-all sacrifice of Himself for all the rest of us, of which we still partake in the Eucharist.  And the sacrifices He is demanding of His own disciples, especially as leaders in His Church, must also be their own.  In today's reading, He demands sacrifices of ourselves that do not literally concern hand or eye or feet, but rather what bad habits and practices we might do using our own capacities -- and that applies in particular to how the "little ones" are treated, or exploited, or abused.  A hand might reach out to grab what does not belong to us.  Let us note that among Jesus' criticism of the scribes at 12:38-40 includes that they "devout widows' houses," among other practices He disparages.  A hand may also reach out to harm, abuse, or exploit a little one, which we most significantly know from more recent scandals in the Church.  Let us remember that when Jesus uses this term, the "little ones," He isn't only speaking of the physically small, such as children, but all those who are to some extent powerless and trusting, without great standing in the world.  These are the vulnerable.  An eye may reach out with lust for someone or something that is not rightfully one's own to lust after or to covet.  A foot may tread where it is unwanted, across boundaries both physical and invisible, that rightly should be respected for other persons.   To hold power in His Church is to be a servant to all, as He said in yesterday's reading (see above):  "If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all."  The sacrifices which Jesus asks of His followers, and especially His future leaders, are those we make which will be tested by the fire of the Holy Spirit that burns the impurities of our own hearts, and seasoned with the salt of our faithful fidelity to Christ.  The sacrifices which He asks for are those that will be demanded in service to Him and to the Body of Christ, to the little ones, which might include our own need for greatness in the eyes of others, the practice of "lording it over" others, and so many more types of sacrifices in the name of our own humility before Christ.  To put it in a modern colloquial vernacular, it is our own "egos" that will tested, that will need to make sacrifices, our habits that flatter or in other ways seemingly enrich ourselves, but at the expense of others, especially those who have no currency, no social clout, the "little ones."  We are asked to befriend such people, to invite those to our table who cannot pay us back (Luke 14:12-14), for the practice of real graciousness and kindness happens this way, figuratively or otherwise.  This is the true test of greatness, the sacrifice of fire and salt He asks of us.  As His followers, we are to be "like Him," for this is the purpose of His mission and the gracious expression of God's love He brings to the world.  Through His love, we each may also realize how rich we are, and what abundance we have to give, in following His teachings on what sacrifice is, and what He wants of us.  And lest we forget His final words in today's reading, this is also the way we will 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

 

 "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.

 

For 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 that 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 on 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 continues His discussion with the disciples from yesterday's reading (above).  He was responding to their debate between themselves over who would be greatest in the kingdom they believed Jesus was going to establish, a worldly kingdom such as was popularly expected with the coming of the Messiah.  His teachings to them in response were about what kind of stewards and leaders He will want in His church, with the keyword for these teachings being humility.  He took a little child to Himself, and taught that if they receive even a little one in His name, they receive Him, and by receiving Him, they receive the One who sent Him.  My study bible comments here that little ones include all who have childlike humility and simplicity, all who are poor in spirit.  Here Jesus begins to give severe warnings to the disciples about possible abuses of power and authority in the Church, and the severe consequences that await such behavior.

 

 "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 that 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.' "   Jesus gives a similar teaching in the Sermon on the Mount (see Matthew 5:29-30), where He uses the image of an offending eye or hand to teach against adultery (that is, gazing upon with covetousness or reaching out for that which is inappropriate to oneself).  Here, Jesus teaches the disciples -- again, those who will become the stewards and bishops of His Church -- that the hand, or foot, or eye which causes one to sin is better cut off.  These are metaphorical images, as in the Sermon on the Mount, for our own impulses which cause unrighteous behavior, that which abuses power and authority especially over the "little ones" who are the humble in the Church.  A hand may reach out for that which does not belong to oneself, an eye covets what is inappropriate, a foot may tread with disrespect and trespass across proper boundaries.  These are all warnings against abuses of power and inappropriate behavior which disrupts peace within a community.  My study bible says that the references to mutilation are illustrative of decisive action to avoid sin, and -- obviously -- do not advocate for literal amputation.  These teachings also apply to harmful relationships which need to be severed for the salvation of all parties (see Luke 14:26, 1 Corinthians 5:5).  The repeated quotation and warnings of hell and fire are from Isaiah 66:24.

"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 means to be tested to see if one's faith and works are genuine, according to my study bible (see 1 Corinthians 3:11-15).  When Jesus says that every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt, He is quoting Leviticus 2:13, in which salt stands for the remembrance of God's covenant with God's people.   The reference to peace with one another is clearly pointing to the commandments which are made to keep peace in community, and His commands regarding doing all one can do to refrain from trespass against one another and abuses of power.

Jesus writes about the need to identify and to take decisive steps regarding our own failures to live up to His commandments, His word.  If we couch ourselves in that basic understanding of God as love (1 John 4:8), then we come to accept and to understand that the commandments of Christ are made from love:  they are given to us from love, and to build love, and to create love among one another.  It is in this context that we must understand Christ's teachings, as they come to us regarding how we use what power and authority we have, and especially in our behavior toward one another.  It's also important to remember that these teachings are given to the disciples -- the Twelve -- who will be the leaders and pillars of His Church, those who will shepherd His flock and become His bishops.  His teachings really apply to every single one of us who are His followers, but here He is particularly responding to the disciples' desire for greatness, for position, for authority in a worldly sense.  He first instructs them on being servants to all, and teaches humility (see yesterday's reading, above).  But today's reading focuses on a rigorous self-discipline, on the need to identity one's own proclivities toward "bad behavior" within community, especially abuses of power and authority over and against the little ones.  A hand or foot or eye can go where it is not wanted, where it causes abuse or disruption of community, committing sin against another.  These are Jesus' gravest warnings.  The dire warnings against hell and an eternal fire should not be lost upon any of us.  If one finds a stumbling block in a seeming contradiction between a God of love who preaches and teaches love, and whose commands are for loving relations within community -- and the warnings about hell and fire, then one must consider the teachings we find in the Gospels, and especially references to fire.  That is to say, Jesus gives us His own framework for this understanding in today's reading, where fire is an image of the Holy Spirit -- which is both a testing energy and one that leads and teaches and brings justice and mercy.  One must think of fire as a test in the sense of traditional testing of metals for purity; that which burns away is not the pure gold.  It is that fire in which we stand, with which we commune, and which can work within us, that helps to burn away all the things that keep us from being active living agents of God's love and those commands of love.  To cut away a foot or hand or eye is to find a way -- by any means necessary in the terms of Christ's dire exhortations -- to live and dwell within that fire and not to be consumed.  In Luke's Gospel, St. John the Baptist says of Christ, "I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire" (Luke 3:16).  Jesus says, also in Luke's Gospel, "I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!" (Luke 12:49).  The warnings about fire must be taken in this context:  that it is the very fire of God who is love that will burn away the things that are not love in us.  Thereby is our baptism of fire, and the fire Christ says He came to send on the earth, and they include our own need to put aside that which is not compatible with love in ourselves.  This work, in short, requires our cooperation and actions.  Christ's words call us to a kind of self-responsibility that says that we are  not pawns of life, nor hopelessly subject to the ill influences we might find in the world.  We are not simply slaves to worldly patterns of abuse and selfishness and exploitation and their endless repetition in us, but we are called to something much, much greater and with a grandeur and stature in God's service.  He has said, in yesterday's reading, "If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all."  Our greatness is found in our capacity for humility, self-discipline, a willingness to become the true person in the image to which Christ calls us, fashioned in the fire of His love and His commandments of love.  We are given the fire of the Holy Spirit to help us along the way, but it is our own awareness of what we're to be about that is also necessary to this journey, and the direction toward which we set our face.  We will all be seasoned with this fire, and the salt of our covenant with Him is in every sacrifice we make for the sake of His love.

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 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 right 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 that we are in the middle of a conversation between Jesus and the disciples.  They have arrived in Capernaum and are inside the house of Peter, and Jesus has asked them what they were disputing while they were on the road, on the way here.  They had been disputing between themselves who would be greatest in what we presume is the worldly kingdom they expect.  They have failed to understand what it means that Jesus has told them He will "rise on the third day," and are likely thinking of the worldly kingdom expected among the population when the Christ comes.  In yesterday's reading, above, Jesus began by telling about how power should be exercised in His kingdom, in the Church which will be established in His name.  Here, He continues this discussion, once again referring to the "little ones," symbolized by the little child He uses as an example.  My study bible says that little ones include all who have childlike humility and simplicity, all who are poor in spirit.  Little ones are also the humbler and less powerful, and clearly Jesus is referring to the time when they will be the bishops of His Church, and consequently He is teaching our bishops of today, and all of us who call ourselves followers of Christ.  Jesus quotes from Isaiah 66:24, regarding the fate of those who transgress against God, making this the sternest warning to the disciples that He can make.  If we think about a hand, we understand He is speaking about where a hand might go that violates the appropriate boundaries of God.  Jesus has already stressed that when they receive even a little child, it is as if they receive Him, and if Him, then the Father who sent Him.  A hand may seek to grasp and take hold of that which does not belong to it, to commit theft; it may also strike a person.  Jesus is referring to personal habits that seem a part of ourselves, saying that we must cut them off even if we are "maimed" as a result.  This is preferable to harming one of the little ones.

"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.'"   Jesus re-emphasizes the point by using the example of a foot.  A foot may trample or trespass where it is not wanted nor welcome.  Mark's Gospel repeats the warning from Isaiah about those who transgress the word of God.

"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.'"  And again, Jesus uses the image of a body part to emphasize violations of power and abuse.  An eye may gaze upon that which it covets; this kind of lust can apply both to property and to people.

"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 to be seasoned with fire means being tested to see if one's faith and works are genuine (see 1 Corinthians 3:11-15).  Christ is quoting Leviticus 2:13 when He says that every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt.  Here, salt stands for the remembrance of God's covenant with God's people.  

Jesus uses the quite vivid imagery of body parts and mutilation to teach us about the importance of casting off habits or tendencies which can seem like a vital part of ourselves, should they predispose us to any sort of violation against one of the "little ones."  Clearly these warnings are about the use of power in His Church, and they are given to the disciples who will be the very pillars of that Church, its first bishops.  But each of us has to take these warnings seriously for ourselves.  We read about scandals in the Church; these may be scandals about money, or scandals about abuse of other kinds, including of the literal "little ones."  But in every case, we must go back to the words of Christ here, who took such pains to emphasize how those in His Church should use power.   This passage in Mark's Gospel simply could not be more emphatic as a warning against abuses of power in the Church.  But for each of us, who seek to bear Christ's image within ourselves as well as we can, these words should be especially stinging and poignant.  Imagine the disciples hearing the words from Isaiah, and repeated three times, as a warning against behaviors that abuse the powerless.  Jesus does not advocate violence or self-mutiliation here, but He is giving us the one and only choice we have, and that is a kind of radical personal repentance that may feel like we are casting off a part of ourselves.  Christ also calls into question here notions of personal power, and those who may interest themselves in places in the Church simply for the sake of wielding a kind of power, having a position of greatness.  Looking back upon Church history, so often the most remembered bishops and leaders have been those reluctant to serve in high position, with a preference for the obscurity of monastic life.  It tells us something important about humility that even stories from secular life reflect the importance of humility for some of our greatest generals and political leaders.  In the context of today's headlines and scandals, Christ's words remain ever so important for all of us.  Humility is the antidote for what ails us -- and the willingness to look critically at ourselves and our flaws and weaknesses, and cast off that which may cause offense through trespass.  Christ offers us a way, and it is a way that is meant not only for these future leaders of His Church, but for all of us.  In the midst of the scandalous -- whatever that may be -- let us consider His teachings and His wisdom.  He gives us His way, and it is a way of humility and repentance for those who would be greatest among us.  We represent Him and His kingdom in this world; let us be in compliance with what He teaches.  We can look all around ourselves and see violations of power on every scale and in all kinds of dimensions of the society.  In today's reading,  Jesus promises that we all will be tested.  But He offers us His way; let us practice what He so strongly advocates and teaches.  Let us be those who remember Him, and have salt in ourselves and peace with one another.

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.