Sunday, September 26, 2021: Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Mark 9:38-50
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 afterward 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.
“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.”
In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus tells his disciples to “have salt in yourselves”, in other words, to remain faithful, since, “Salt [connotes] permanence, integrity, and staying power.” (https://ourdailybread.org/article/frfts-you-are-the-salt-of-the-earth/).
But sometimes we need to be reminded of why we made a certain commitment, whether it’s to a relationship or to a job. It can be easy to be thrown off track- fatigue, not feeling appreciated, boredom or the daily grind can all get in the way of staying the course after we’ve decided to dedicate ourselves to something or someone. We start to wonder if the grass wouldn’t be greener in a different set of life circumstances, even ones that we’ve thought out carefully and to which we have dedicated ourselves.
I arrived back to my job as a chaplain last Monday, after being gone for a week, to learn that some major changes are taking place at the hospital where I work. Things are in flux, and some people are leaving as a result of these changes and other factors too. Times like these are discouraging to me, and lead me to consider leaving also.
This past Friday, we had a prayer service in the chapel celebrating Mercy Day, the 194th anniversary of the opening of the House of Mercy on Baggot Street in Dublin, Ireland. I was inspired by the words of Catherine McAuley, the foundress of the House of Mercy, in her special prayer or “Suscipe” in which she says, “Teach me to cast myself entirely into the arms of your loving Providence.” I was reminded by Catherine’s prayer to trust in God’s plan for me, and as I re-committed myself to Catherine’s vision of mercy and compassion, I did so as part of a community of faithful followers. Together we prayed that we would try to continue Catherine’s dream of “bringing to life the healing ministry of Jesus.” Catherine McAuley’s words dedicating herself to God helped me, and can help all of us, to remain faithful no matter what happens in our lives.
Thank you for reminding us that we’re not making promises to be faithful to God because nothing will change but because God will always be with us
Yes! God is always faithful, no matter what the vicissitudes of life!
Such a good reminder!