It’s interesting that every time Jesus talks about his own death, the disciples quickly get around to an ambitious dispute concerning primacy. They may have been surprised by Jesus’s recommendations:
Practice humility (become like children); regularly take a look at yourself for new perspectives (change); have great respect for everyone – no exceptions (not even little ones); everyone encounters stumbling blocks – do not react with revenge. To do so would be as silly as cutting off your nose to spite your face, for we are all one in communion.
Namaste
The Readings
1 Maccabees 4:1-25
Revelation 21:22-22:5
Matthew 18:1-9
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" He called a child, whom he put among them, and said, "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. "If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were fastened around your neck and you were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of stumbling blocks! Occasions for stumbling are bound to come, but woe to the one by whom the stumbling block comes! "If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to enter life maimed or lame than to have two hands or two feet and to be thrown into the eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and to be thrown into the hell of fire.
No comments:
Post a Comment