Salted

Jesus said, “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.” Mark 9:42-50

Loving Creator, source of all breath and life

you taught us to care for all living beings

to shape our lives in care of community

and you have given the necessary sustenance.

We often stray and stumble every day

we are selfish, greedy and blind to others

we complain when we are occasionally tested 

yet we forget to be grateful for your abundance.

You walked with people calling them to care

for the most vulnerable, the young and elderly

for those without shelter, food and tenderness

and call us to care for the least among us now.

Help us to be people who admit our stumbling

open our eyes to the needs of those around us

give us strength to care for neighbors and strangers

so the world might know your eternal love. Amen.