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18 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 He called a child, whom he put among them, 3 and said, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.
6 “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 fastened around your neck and you were drowned in the depth of the sea. 7 Woe to the world because of stumbling blocks! Occasions for stumbling are bound to come, but woe to the one by whom the stumbling block comes!
8 “If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to enter life maimed or lame than to have two hands or two feet and to be thrown into the eternal fire. 9 And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and to be thrown into the hell of fire.
By Robert Brown
Well, we certainly have some unsavory images and extreme advice from our Lord in this gospel passage. It would seem reasonable to be troubled by these recommendations of self-mutilation and mortal punishment.
And, as so often is the case, we need to look beyond our first reactions, in an attempt to get to the center of what Jesus wants us to hear.
The disciples are asking who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Could this indicate that they are interested in competition, pride, prestige and power, or do they just want to know how they fit into the kingdom.
The kingdom of heaven is a core part of our faith tradition, highlighted by Jesus many times in scripture, and a core theological underpinning of the prayers and liturgical systems of our Book of Common Prayer.
In today’s Gospel passage, the quality of the humility of a child is raised to utmost importance in our relationship with the kingdom.
Humility is defined as a state of low self-importance. This is different than a state of low self-love, or low self-care. Humility implies an awareness of the importance of others, maybe even suggests an awareness of every person’s God-given intrinsic, equal and divine worth.
Jesus provides a dire warning to those who would intentionally put a stumbling block in someone else’s path. Stumbling blocks are bound to happen occasionally, but woe to those who would purposely cause another to stumble. The eternal fire and the hell of fire are places to avoid at all costs. Jesus is asking his disciples to look at the parts of themselves which lack humility and work against the benefit of others. Certainly one stumbles when intentionally causing another to stumble.
So I wonder, how have innocent stumbles, and humility played a part in your faith journey?
