Protecting the Weak Around Us
Introduction
While the Bible speaks constantly of forgiveness, it always keeps condemning presumption, whether in one’s own strength or possessions, or in the very patience of God with sinners. It is the people aware of their weakness who attract God’s pardon. This is Ben Sirach’s lesson today.
In a series of not too well connected words of the Lord to his disciples, we notice for example, how Jesus shows concern for the “little ones,” that is, ordinary Christians not too well versed in doctrinal matters, who are at times confused by the more learned. With James and the Lord we too should be concerned about the little people, the humble, ordinary Christians.
1 Reading: Sirach 5:1-8
Rely not on your wealth;
say not: “I have the power.”
Rely not on your strength
in following the desires of your heart.
Say not: “Who can prevail against me?”
or, “Who will subdue me for my deeds?”
for God will surely exact the punishment.
Say not: “I have sinned, yet what has befallen me?”
for the Most High bides his time.
Of forgiveness be not overconfident,
adding sin upon sin.
Say not: “Great is his mercy; my many sins he will forgive.”
For mercy and anger alike are with him;
upon the wicked alights his wrath.
Delay not your conversion to the LORD,
put it not off from day to day.
For suddenly his wrath flames forth;
at the time of vengeance you will be destroyed.
Rely not upon deceitful wrath,
for it will be no help on the day of wrath.
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6
R. (40:5a) Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.
Blessed the man who follows not
the counsel of the wicked
Nor walks in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the company of the insolent,
But delights in the law of the LORD
and meditates on his law day and night.
R. Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.
He is like a tree
planted near running water,
That yields its fruit in due season,
and whose leaves never fade.
Whatever he does, prospers.
R. Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.
Not so the wicked, not so;
they are like chaff which the wind drives away.
For the LORD watches over the way of the just,
but the way of the wicked vanishes.
R. Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.
Alleluia: cf. 1 Thessalonians 2:13
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Receive the word of God, not as the word of men,
but as it truly is, the word of God.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel: Mark 9:41-50
Jesus said to his disciples:
“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 if 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.
“Everyone will be salted with fire.
Salt is good, but if salt becomes insipid,
with what will you restore its flavor?
Keep salt in yourselves and you will have peace with one another.”
Commentary
Companions of sin. There are strong warnings against courting evil in today’s readings. Wealth brings power, and power makes us the master of our ship. Attitude of our politicians today. But be warned. If there is a God in heaven, we are not omnipotent. How often have we seen powerful figures in Nigerians fall from their pinnacles and be brought before the courts because of illegal gains? Sirach foresees all of this today when he calls for a heartfelt conversion. Remember that justice may seem delayed, but it will come. Live honestly, gently, and uprightly before the Lord.
The Gospel today wisely exhorts us to avoid whatever may do us damage. In the Act of Contrition, we resolve to “avoid the near occasions of sin.” Good advice and that is precisely what Jesus is saying, in rather graphic language, when he speaks of removing hand, foot, or eye in today’s Gospel. We all know that we are given opportunities but pursued things that lead to moral shipwreck. It is sad when we return to them time after time, with the usual regrets. The solution is demanding but simple. Do not approach the danger. It may be the race track, the sleazy bar, the Internet porn site, or whatever. We have been called with the grace of God’s love. As Jesus says, we have been salted, but if the salt goes flat, it is worth nothing.
Let us try today to be faithful to our moral compass. What may seem difficult is ultimately rewarding. We are also warned today against leading the innocent into sin; the abuse scandal within the church in modern times is an incredible moral tragedy. Lord, forgive us our sins and lead us in the way of holiness.
Blessing
Never look down on others. Protect them. Jesus repeats this in many ways, regarding outcasts and sinners, regarding children, regarding the weak and simple people. We are Christians together, and God loves us all. May God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!