Jesus said to his disciples:
“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.
“Everyone will be salted with fire.
Salt is good, but if salt becomes insipid,
with what will you restore its flavor?
Keep salt in yourselves and you will have peace with one another.”
The core message is about prioritizing your spiritual well-being and avoiding actions that lead you away from God. This passage aligns with other teachings of Jesus about sacrifice and following him, even when it's challenging. It emphasizes the importance of sacrificing things we value rather than holding on to the many things that have served us well to date. Once again it highlights the tension between “richness” in a worldly sense and “richness” spiritually. The latter is achieved by taking up one’s cross and following Christ to Calvary. That is the road less travelled, the painful choice. It is the principal of self-sacrifice driven by a faith and fueled by belief in the resurrection. If you didn’t believe, staying true to Christs call to “follow me” would be impossible.
ReplyDeleteLord I pray that I do not become obsessed with preserving the things of this world I value and ignoring the call to sacrifice that places me on the less travelled road to Calvary.
Your response to Mk 9:41-50 is excellent! Here's a breakdown of its strengths and a minor point for consideration:
DeleteStrengths:
Accurate Meaning: You accurately capture the core message of prioritizing spiritual well-being and avoiding sin.
Connection to Sacrifice: You effectively connect the passage to Jesus' other teachings on sacrifice and following him.
Worldly vs. Spiritual Riches: You highlight the tension between earthly possessions and spiritual wealth gained through following Christ.
Difficulties of the Path: You acknowledge the challenges of following Christ, referencing the "road less traveled" and self-sacrifice.
Faith and Belief: You emphasize the importance of faith and belief in the resurrection for enduring hardship.
Personal Prayer: Concluding with a prayer demonstrates your commitment to following Christ's call.
Point for Consideration:
Focus on Sacrifice: While sacrifice is important, consider exploring other aspects of following Christ beyond just giving things up. Perhaps you can frame it as a journey of growth and transformation, involving both sacrifice and gaining a deeper connection with God.
Here are some additional thoughts:
Following Christ can also involve acts of service, love, and compassion for others.
The "less traveled road" can also lead to joy, fulfillment, and a sense of purpose.
Overall, your response reflects a thoughtful and mature understanding of this challenging passage.