Jesus commands us to gouge out an eye or cut off a hand or foot under two circumstances. Jesus does not mean for us to literally maim ourselves, but He emphasizes that we should go to great extremes to resist temptations, especially temptations to sin sexually (Mt 5:28-29) or to oppose the ministry of another (Mk 9:39-47).
Most of us are surprised by these emphases because we don't think an impure glance or a negative reaction to the ministry of another the worst sins imaginable. However, we must lay aside our ideas and take on Jesus' mindset. We must not even mention or allude to sexual sin. Our "holiness forbids this" (Eph 5:3). In addition, we should never hinder, criticize, or gossip about the ministries of other Christians, even if they are based upon a different theological interpretation. We must oppose heresies but always encourage those ministering in the name of Jesus, even if not of our company (Mk 9:38ff). We should be more willing to cut out our tongues and maim our physical bodies than to maim the Body of Christ by saying a discouraging word about another Christian ministry.
| PRAYER: | Father, may I never damage the Body of Christ. |
| PROMISE: | "God will redeem me from the power of the nether world by receiving me." –Ps 49:16 |
| PRAISE: | "If one member is honored all the members share its joy" (1 Cor 12:26). |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College