Gospel according to Saint Mark 9,38-43.45.47-48.
How to be or become a follower of Jesus Christ in the world and in your situation«... 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.».
How to avoid this terrible destiny? In fact, when I try to look within me I cannot help but think that each of us is a sinner, and I too have at times been prevented by my sins, and I have risked losing the gift of Faith.
What can be a 'scandal' for me, for eachone of us, is in fact something that, as the word itself means, can hinder, which puts us in a situation in which it's possible to lose our Faith.
Maybe I'm wrong but I think avoiding this is possible and not too difficult. In fact, the first of all the commandments - Jesus said - is to love your neighbor as yourself.
I believe that one of the ways I can get this during my ordinary life - because I am a small human being and I can't believe I can help everyone in the universe - is to deeply and honestly examine whether there is anything in my behavior that could hurt or harm or bring pain or displeasure to someone. In addition to helping those closest to me if and how I can, I have to avoid those situations or actions. I must avoid to put me at risk to lose Faith
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to
Saint Mark 9,38-43.45.47-48.
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.'"
