Cut it off!

by FLL Editorial Team
2014-02-27


Jesus said to his disciples: “Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ, amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward.

“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were put around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed than with two hands to go into Gehenna, into the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut if off. It is better for you to enter into life crippled than with two feet to be thrown into Gehenna. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. Better for you to enter into the Kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into Gehenna, where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.

“Everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good, but if salt becomes insipid, with what will you restore its flavor? Keep salt in yourselves and you will have peace with one another.”
Mark 9:30-37

Because the Lord had taught us not to offend those who believe in Him, He then warns us how much we should beware of those who offend us, that is, who by their words or conduct strive to drag us into the damnation of sin; wherefore He says, "And if your hand offend you, cut it off."

In saying this, Jesus refers to our close friends who like the hand helps us daily, like the foot goes about for us, and like the eye advises us. But if one such as this should wish to do us harm regarding our soul, he is to be driven away lest out of friendship in choosing to remain with one who is lost, we should perish together with him in the everlasting punishment which is to come. Wherefore there follows, "It is better for you to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to enter into hell."

Separation of those who separate themselves from God consists of resisting them in all circumstances when they would persuade us to do evil, that is, offend us. If they are known only to a small number, while their wickedness is unknown to the majority, they are to be tolerated in such a way that we should not consent to join in their sinfulness, and that the communion of the good should not be deserted on their account. If indeed their wickedness becomes known to all the good men with whom they are connected, they are to be cut off from all fellowship and even from partaking in the Holy Sacraments.

參考 References:
Catena Aurea (St. Thomas Aquinas)
On the Gospel of Mark (St. Bede the Venerable)
Harmony of the Gospels, Book IV, Ch. 6 (St. Augustine)

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