REFLECTIONS TODAY
In the Gospel pericope, we are presented with a cluster of teachings of Jesus addressed to his disciples and the believing community at large. The sayings are all consistent with the mandate given by Jesus earlier, that his followers become the “last of all and the servant of all” (Mk 9:35).
Firstly, he encourages an open-minded attitude toward those who serve others, using his name, even if they do not explicitly belong to the circle of disciples. He follows the simple logic that “whoever is not against us is for us” (v 40). He strongly commends those who crush evil forces in his name, a bold and necessary action in the context of Jesus’ work for the Kingdom of God. But he also lauds the simple actions, for instance, someone offering a cup of water to drink to his disciples for the simple reason that they “belong to Christ” (v 41). All actions that help in furthering the Kingdom of God are welcome and commendable.
Secondly and on the opposite side, anything that harms oneself and others, and makes the believers stumble in the path of discipleship, must be cut. The radical images given here of “amputated hands and limbs” or “gouged eyes” should be taken as a metaphor and not as a literal saying. Surely we should remember how Jesus heals deformed and sick bodies so we cannot take these sayings as advocating self-mutilation. Instead, we are to understand this in the context of social responsibility and interpersonal relationships. The eye can look with wicked, lustful intent. The foot can take us to places of temptation and sin. The hand can reach and take what is not ours.
The Second Reading today from the Letter of James gives concrete examples of the sinful behavior caused by greed and too much love for money. The exaggerated language that Jesus uses in this Gospel is intended to shake us to our senses and challenge us to take drastic action so as to stop our harmful behavior before we damage ourselves and others.
Are we wondering why Jesus is using such strong language? Perhaps it is not difficult to accept the reality that all his disciples, in his lifetime and in ours, are very much into deep struggle. We all want to do good and to follow Jesus, but we are torn by our selfish desires most of the time. Our prayer is that Jesus will empower us with his Spirit in the ongoing engagement against forces of evil, and that he will fill our hearts with his mercy so that we can continue to serve our neighbor with his same love.
Gospel • Mk 9:38-43, 45, 47-48
At that time, John said to Jesus, “Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us.” Jesus replied, “Do not prevent him. There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me. For whoever is not against us is for us. Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ, amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward.
“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were put 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 than with two hands to go into Gehenna, into the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life crippled than with two feet to be thrown into Gehenna. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. Better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into Gehenna, where ‘their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.’ ”
Source: “366 Days with the Lord 2024.” E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.