In today’s Gospel we heard three or four somewhat disparate sayings of Jesus. These are part of a series of five or six which St. Mark has grouped together here. They are united by linking “catch words”. Also there’s a general theme of belonging to Jesus, or not;and the ultimate consequences of that.
I should like to focus now on the last of our sayings today: the really shocking one about millstones around necks, and hands and feet being chopped off, and eyes gouged out.
A couple of things to say about all that first. In the world of New Testament times, one method of capital punishment could be by drowning. St. Clement, who was third Pope after St. Peter, suffered martyrdom in that way, reputedly with an anchor tied round his neck. As for crimes regarded as not quite deserving death, recourse could be had to amputations or blindings or other similarly horriblepenalties. These unfortunately still occur in some parts of the world today, along with public beatings, hangings, stonings to death and the rest. How literally are we to take our Lord’s words here? Well, the Catholic Church has always taught that any form of self-mutilation is wrong, as is suicide, in all cases. So we understand that we are not literally to cut off hands or feet. Why? Because the seat of sin is not there, but in the heart, and the will.
Nevertheless, let no one try to explain away the extreme, violentlanguage our Lord uses here. And let us also insist that what he says is literally true. Far better, of course, to go to heaven with one eye, or hand or foot, than with two to be cast forever into hell!
So let me emphasise now: our Lord really really wants us to get his point. I don’t see how he could have put it more strongly. This life is serious. The life of each person without any exception must end finally either in heaven or in hell. So: please – choose heaven! Don’t side with the devil! Don’t reject mercy and love and goodness! Don’t make yourself fit for nothing but punishment! In other words: don’t sin! Sin is a really bad idea. To establish ourselves in sin must be the ultimate calamity of our life. Actually sin is always a mug’s game. It doesn’t make you happy. It always wounds yourself as well as others around you. Sin never ends well. So: take any measures whatever to get out of sin. Cut off bad habits; cut off bad influences; cut off bad friendships! We sinners have to reform our life; try to make reparation for past misdeeds; go to confession; do penance; weep over our sins: and turn with confidence to the mercy of God which comes to us in Jesus Christour Lord.
Of all sins, among the very worst is being an obstacle or scandal to little ones: that is, leading them into sin, or somehow preventing them from coming to Jesus. There is some ambiguity about the meaning here of “little ones”. It could mean children, or it could mean simply any disciples of Jesus. Nowadays we think with special horror of the sin of scandal committed by those who belong to the Church: those entrusted with the mission to bring Jesus to people and people to Jesus. Their hypocrisy, their arrogance, their self-indulgence, the corruption they have permitted to enter their hearts: what of that?
In today’s Gospel Our Lord allows us a brief glimpse into the consuming power of his terrible anger. Already the Old Testament Prophets had spoken often of God’s wrath. St. James in our second reading today also touches on this. James addresses those who prey on the poor, who grow fat on the misery of others, whose hands are stained with the blood of the innocent. We could add many others to that list: abusers of power; abusers of children; persecutors of Christians. For them James speaks of a coming physical corrosion and rot, a burning fire, a terrible judgement. And this is deeply consoling for us. It means that there is justice in the Universe. Sometimes it can seem as if wickedness has been allowed to triumph, and goodness or innocence to be crushed. But God is perfectly just. God sees all; God knows all: and on the last day there will be a reckoning. Those who belong to Jesus – whether they know it or not - will be vindicated, and rewarded, utterly beyond measure. But those who were against Jesus will go to such a punishment as does not bear even thinking about: and that punishment will last forever.
Today, as it happens, is the feast of St. Michael and all the Angels.
So today we remind ourselves that in the fight against sin, those who are on our side are stronger and more numerous than those who are against us. Yes: we believe, we know that there are many demons also. There is a Kingdom of darkness. There is a power of spiritual wickedness which seeks to draw us to itself and to consume and destroy us. Jesus himself in his Passion and death seemed to be engulfed, submerged, defeated by that. But in his resurrection he definitively overthrew it. And now he invites us to enter the same contest he himself fought. The drama of our life is our engagement in this battle: against sin and the devil; against wickedness and evil; against infidelity, non-love, corruption. Let us take heart especially today by remembering the holy Angels! Let us be certain that however hard our struggle, we are always supported by countless and powerful helps and graces and gifts from heaven!
And the reward, for those who emerge at last into life with Jesus, is so very beautiful, so very wonderful! In God’s eternal Kingdom we will be companions of such shining Angels as St. Michael. With them we shall have the unutterable privilege and joy of living in the presence of the most holy Mother of God, our Blessed Lady, Queen of heaven; and under her, of all the Saints. And supremely - certainly after due purification, as it’s needed - we shall then come to gaze with unveiled face on the adorable countenance of Jesus himself. We see this face already on the Shroud of Turin: so majestic, so dignified, so serene, even in death. But in heavenly glory the face of Jesus will be indescribably beautiful: shining as the source of all holiness, and all goodness, and all power, and all love. So we shall gaze upon the human face of him who is also God the eternal Son; who came among us in order to rescue us from the power of darkness, and to bring us into his own marvellous light (cf. 1 Peter 2:9); and that gaze will be our eternal bliss.
After the Post Communion Prayer:
Holy Michael the Archangel, defend us in the day of Battle. Be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray. And do you, O Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God thrust down into hell Satan and all the other evil spirits who prowl through the world seeking the ruin of souls.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus: Have mercy on us (x 3)