Where the Flame is not Quenched
Numbers 11:25-29
James 5:1-6
Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48
This week's Old Testament and Gospel lessons are focused on the theme of the Holy Spirit, and how it often works through unexpected people. Both Moses and Christ are clear that this is not to be suppressed: that God will work through whom He will work, and we should not reject these good works simply because they come from outside of our cherished institutions, or without proper training. The work of God is to be encouraged wherever we discern it.
But the Gospel subtly ties this idea to another one. Christ quickly shifts from "whoever is not against us is for us," to "Whoever gives you a cup of cold water in my name will not lose his reward." But this develops even further to "If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off." It is tempting to think of this as a disorganized collection of sayings, but there is a connection. Casting out demons in Christ's name becomes giving a cup of water in Christ's name. Whatever we do for Christ's sake is held to our account.
But conversely, whatever we do contrary to Christ's will is not neglected. And so he encourages the disciples to even cut off their hands and pluck out their eyes if those cause them to sin. The same Spirit that makes it possible to cast out demons or give a cup of cold water makes this possible for us. Whatever it is in our lives that is causing us to lust or pride or selfishness has to be rooted out. Even if it is as dear to us as our very limbs.
Today's Epistle from James 5 gives us a powerful example of this. "Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten. Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire." (RSV) He goes on to recount how in order to become wealthy they have cheated their workers, hoarded goods, and even committed murder. Their wealth has become a limb which causes them to sin. And as dear as it is to them, they must cut it off, as Christ commands the rich young ruler, because it is better to enter into Life maimed than to be cast with their wealth into Gehenna, where the worm devours and the flame is not quenched.
James 5:1-6
Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48
This week's Old Testament and Gospel lessons are focused on the theme of the Holy Spirit, and how it often works through unexpected people. Both Moses and Christ are clear that this is not to be suppressed: that God will work through whom He will work, and we should not reject these good works simply because they come from outside of our cherished institutions, or without proper training. The work of God is to be encouraged wherever we discern it.
But the Gospel subtly ties this idea to another one. Christ quickly shifts from "whoever is not against us is for us," to "Whoever gives you a cup of cold water in my name will not lose his reward." But this develops even further to "If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off." It is tempting to think of this as a disorganized collection of sayings, but there is a connection. Casting out demons in Christ's name becomes giving a cup of water in Christ's name. Whatever we do for Christ's sake is held to our account.
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| The Final Judgment Tryptich Fra Angelico 1450 |
But conversely, whatever we do contrary to Christ's will is not neglected. And so he encourages the disciples to even cut off their hands and pluck out their eyes if those cause them to sin. The same Spirit that makes it possible to cast out demons or give a cup of cold water makes this possible for us. Whatever it is in our lives that is causing us to lust or pride or selfishness has to be rooted out. Even if it is as dear to us as our very limbs.
Today's Epistle from James 5 gives us a powerful example of this. "Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten. Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire." (RSV) He goes on to recount how in order to become wealthy they have cheated their workers, hoarded goods, and even committed murder. Their wealth has become a limb which causes them to sin. And as dear as it is to them, they must cut it off, as Christ commands the rich young ruler, because it is better to enter into Life maimed than to be cast with their wealth into Gehenna, where the worm devours and the flame is not quenched.
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