The thrust of our lives

       When you look at the life of almost anyone, you can catch a glimpse of what drives them, what the focus of their life is. Is it family, work, charity, equality, mission work ?  We all have things that seem to be focal points or things that seem to touch our soul. Clearly, one of mine is equality, especially as it pertains to being gay.

       With Jesus we might say it is love of the Father; being fully human might be another. You might also focus on what he seemed passionate about. How could we ignore his penchant for railing against the Pharisees? In so doing Jesus is speaking against a human condition that we all seem to possess. We want rules and more rules as if that will make us whole or holy or guarantee salvation. A major focus of Jesus' ministry though seems to be anti-rules. Focus more on love. Today's passage from Mark makes the case.  ‘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. THAT is what Jesus thinks about all the rules and rubrics that the Pharisees brought to the people. The answer is not anarchy but thoughtful, bendable and loving rules if you will. 

        But the real focus of today's passage seems to be what is the focus of our lives. What do we put in our own path that stymies us from reaching the fullness of humanity within us? Jesus makes the case rather intimate. Life, hands, foot, eyes. The meaning to me then is to find out what in our own lives is a stumbling block. If we spend all our efforts at work             ( making that our god ) and in the process abandon or ruin our family, that is a pretty big nut to crack. No one ever lay on their deathbed and proclaimed " I wish I had spent more time at work".  Pornography could be a stumbling block. Do you get so wrapped up in the gluttony of skin that you miss out on real relationships?  Anything in life that holds value to us can become a stumbling block for us. At the same time that we look into ourselves for self reflection, let us look at how we actually spend our time and efforts in our daily lives. Is it obvious to others what our goal in life is, to be a better and more loving person? It seems that really should be a major thrust of our lives if we are godly people.

Mark 9:42-50

 ‘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.’