To Enter The Kingdom With One Eye

Today's Gospel : Mark 9:38 - 48

John said to him, ‘Master, we saw a man who is not one of us casting out devils in your name; and because he was not one of us we tried to stop him’. But Jesus said, ‘You must not stop him: no one who works a miracle in my name is likely to speak evil of me. Anyone who is not against us is for us.
‘If anyone gives you a cup of water to drink just because you belong to Christ, then I tell you solemnly, he will most certainly not lose his reward.’
‘But anyone who is an obstacle to bring down one of these little ones who have faith, would be better thrown into the sea with a great millstone round his neck. And if your hand should cause you to sin, cut it off; it is better for you to enter into life crippled, than to have two hands and go to hell, into the fire that cannot be put out. And if your foot should cause you to sin, cut it off; it is better for you to enter into life lame, than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. And if your eye should cause you to sin, tear it out; it is better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell where their worm does not die nor their fire go out.’

This is always a frustrating passage for me. It seems violent and archiac and legalistic...not unlike the faith of Mohammad, taking violent steps in serving God. However the great difference here is that most Christians take this threat as an analogy (better to...than) and not an actual command. I wish the call to "Jihad"-the personal struggle against sin as opposed to holy war- were understood correctly but those who seem to do the most damage in their God's name.

Peace and blessing.

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