Stumbling

‘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

I know way too much about stumbling and falling. I was never terribly coordinated, and this past year, in a medical boot, as well as weakened muscles from being restricted to a wheelchair, has brought about many opportunities to stumble. It will be a long while before I am able walk comfortably again. Even then, I will need to be careful when I am walking. I have a long road in front of me. We all do. We are invited today to be those who help others when the days are challenging, rather than those who make life and faith more difficult.

Loving Creator, we are your children

you teach us and lead us day by day

you surround us with loving community

and call us to be your love to the stumbling.

We rush to judgement and we criticize

laughing at those who stumble and fall

we act as if we are superior to them

while you have called us to keep them safe.

Help us to be your servants in our time

let us be at peace with all those around us

give us your strength and your love again

so we might be the bearers of your peace today. Amen.