Daily Gospel Reflection for February 24, 2022

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Today's Gospel: Mark 9:41-50

Jesus uses some strong language in the Gospel today.

“It would be better for him if a great millstone were put around his neck and he were thrown into the sea.”

Have you ever seen a millstone? It is a gigantic, heavy thing, meant to crush anything you might place under it. And then there’s the imagery of cutting off your hands and feet if they cause you to sin.

I think Jesus uses these dramatic descriptions because He wants to emphasize the deadly seriousness of sin. We humans can get very attached to our favorite sins and begin to make excuses for ourselves. Everyone gossips, we might think, or everyone steals or lies. It’s no big deal. Or, I’m not hurting anyone when I embrace anger, lust, or envy (insert your go-to sins here) in my heart. It’s not all that bad. It’s no big deal.

But when He tells us we should cut off our limbs instead of sinning, He gets our attention. He tells us sin is a big deal. I may not need to cut off a hand, but maybe I do need to cut out certain habits or influences in my life. Instagram might be the “hand” we need to cut off, or that not-so-great TV show we’re addicted to watching, or that group of friends that inspires less-than-holy thoughts and actions.

Cutting out sin can very much feel like cutting off a limb sometimes. We are so attached to our own self-seeking we don’t see how much it hurts us. Jesus gives us the strength we need to free ourselves from sin and find true happiness in Him.

Ponder:

What negative things am I holding onto that God might be asking me to cut out of my life?

Pray:

Lord, I want to love You better. Help me to see the seriousness of sin and give me the grace I need to remove all of it from my life.

Click to tweet:
Cutting out sin can very much feel like cutting off a limb sometimes. We are so attached to our own self-seeking we don’t see how much it hurts us. #dailygospel

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