Mark
9:38–41, 45, 47-48
John
said to Jesus, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we
tried to stop him, because he was not following us.” But Jesus said, “Do not
stop him; for no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon
afterwards to speak evil of me. Whoever is not against us is for us. For truly
I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name
of Christ will by no means lose the reward.
“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.”
Reflection
• Do I think I have monopoly on Jesus?
• How do I
appreciate the good deeds done by others?