On this Monday in the 12th week after Pentecost, the Daily Prayer of the Church takes us to Mark’s Gospel where we read:
‘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 hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea. If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands and to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame than to have two feet and to be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and to be thrown into hell, where their worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched.
‘For everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good; but if salt has lost its saltiness, how can you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.’ (Mk. 9:42-50).
Just because you have the right to do something does not mean that you have to do it especially if doing it hurts someone else. Do not be a stumbling block to others.
Jesus also tells us that we have to be ready to part with the thing that causes us to sin, the thing that separates us from God, from others, and even from ourselves. Doing those things that are not in accordance with God’s will essentially makes us less human, it dims the image of God in us.
Then Jesus talks about salt. In Jesus’ day salt was used not only to flavor, but as a preservative to keep meat from spoiling. It was a symbol of fellowship and a shared meal. So, keep relationships from spoiling, be at peace, and share a meal together.
Let us pray: Almighty and everlasting God, in Christ you have revealed your glory among the nations: Preserve your Church throughout the world through your Holy Spirit; may we persevere with steadfast faith and in celebrating the Eucharist where Christ is present among us. Amen.
CALENDAR REMINDERS
Adult Christian Education every Sunday at 11:00 a.m.: Contemporary Moral Issues.
Sunday, 25 August at 9:00 a.m. the Feast of St. Augustine will be celebrated with Eucharist Rite II and a pot luck lunch after. This is the 129th anniversary of our church community.
Retreat on 19-22 September 2013 at Holy Cross Monastery led by the Rev. Dr. Tom Bain, “Standing at the Center with God and Ourselves.” Here is a link to the website:
Please remember everyone on our Prayer List.
Your servant in Christ,
The Rev. Chester J. Makowski
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550
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