Loving the Little Ones
- davidwperk
- Feb 11
- 6 min read
Devotional Reflection, Tuesday, February 11, 2025
The week of the fifth Sunday after Epiphany
The Rev. David W. Perkins,Th.D.
Key phrases for reflection from this Gospel reading:
42 ‘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.
You will find the full text of today’s Gospel at the end of this reflection.
Daily Office lectionary readings (BCP, 946)
AM Psalm 78:1-39; PM Psalm 78:40-72
Isa. 59:1-15a; 2 Tim. 1:1-14; Mark 9:42-50
Today we celebrate the Feast of Barbara C. Harris. (See below.)
Morning Prayer, Rite 2, page 75, Book of Common Prayer
Evening Prayer, Rite 2, page 115, Book of Common Prayer
Compline (Night Prayer), Page 127, Book of Common Prayer
David’s Reflections
Mark’s Gospel does not provide a context in Jesus’ ministry for the saying in verse 42. The saying occurs in a cluster grouped by key words as mnemonic devices (stumble, vv 42-47; fire vv. 48-49; salt, vv. 49-51); the original historical settings have been lost in transmission in the oral phase of tradition, before the sayings were transcribed into writing.
The key word linkages would assist in remembering the sayings. We can assume that “these little ones who believe in me” refers either to children or to those young in the faith, and the latter seems more likely. Here, Jesus puts us on guard that we bear responsibility for the impact of our behavior on those new to faith or weak in faith. (See Romans 14 for Paul’s teaching about those weak in faith and the responsibility of the stronger members of the community for their well being.)
As Christians, we live in community. The fragile bonds that hold us together can be eroded by words carelessly spoken, by neglect, and by behaviors that wound and inflict pain. Jesus uses hyperbole, deliberate exaggeration, to underline the seriousness of caring for the little ones. Hanging a millstone around one’s neck and drowning them—what a violent and distasteful image. What we know of Jesus’ nature from the Gospels makes that a literal impossibility, hence our recourse to the figurative device of hyperbole to understand him.
Yet, Jesus warns us with that very image of the severe consequences of offending little ones. Do we understand how important new believers and those weak in faith are to him? Do we understand how important is our sensitivity to them? Do we understand how important is our awareness of the consequences of our action or inaction with reference to them? Do we understand that they watch and listen to the more mature and model after us? Do we understand how vulnerable they are to us?
Paul offers very similar counsel in Galatians 6:1-5. From both Paul and Jesus we hear that the responsibility for reclaiming those lost to the community rests on the faithful. The responsibility for avoiding behaviors that wound the vulnerable and fragile in faith rests on the faithful. Regathering people into the community remains our loving challenge (See Matthew 18:10-14 for the parable of the lost sheep applied to community members who have wandered away.)
American poet Stephen Dunn puts this well in his poem.
6. The Body Widens
The body widens, and people are welcomed
into it, many at a time. This must be
what happens when we learn to be generous
when we're not in love, or otherwise charmed.
I've been examining yesterday's ashes, I've visited
my own candleless altar. Little by little,
the old selfish parts of me are loosening.
I have a plan for becoming lean: to use
all my fat in service of expansion. Have women
always known this? Loveliness and fear
when they open and let in and give away?
The mountains here pierce the sky,
and the sky, bountiful, closes in around them.*
*Stephen Dunn, New and Selected Poems, 1974-1994. (New York: W. W. Norton, 1994), p. 8. From "The Snowmass Cycle"
Collect of the Day, Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany
Set us free, O God, from the bondage of our sins, and give us the liberty of that abundant life which you have made known to us in your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (BCP, 216)
Today we celebrate the Feast of Barbara C. Harris (11 Feb 1989), first woman ordained a bishop in the Episcopal Church USA and in the Anglican Communion.
Collect of the Feast of Barbara C Harris
God of the prophets, we give you thanks for calling Barbara Clementine Harris to the office of bishop. Open our eyes to behold the wondrous works you have prepared for your church in calling women to share in the ministry of the episcopate. May we, inspired by their example as faithful shepherds, wise teachers, courageous prophets, and guardians of the faith, proclaim the Good News and carry out the works of Jesus Christ in the world; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
A Collect for Peace
O God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom: Defend us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in your defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries; through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 99)
For Young Persons
God our Father, you see your children growing up in an unsteady and confusing world: Show them that your ways give more life than the ways of the world, and that following you is better than chasing after selfish goals. Help them to take failure, not as a measure of their worth, but as a chance for a new start. Give them strength to hold their faith in you, and to keep alive their joy in your creation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 829)
A Prayer for Light
Grant us, Lord, the lamp of charity which never fails, that it may burn in us and shed its light on those around us, and that by its brightness we may have a vision of that holy City, where dwells the true and never-failing Light, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 110)
A Collect for Mission
Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of your faithful people is governed and sanctified: Receive our supplications and prayers which we offer before you for all members of your holy Church, that in their vocation and ministry they may truly and devoutly serve you; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. (BCP, 100)
Daily Office Gospel, Mark 9:42-50
42 ‘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. 43If 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. 45And 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. 47And 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, 48where their worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched.
49 ‘For everyone will be salted with fire. 50Salt 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.’
Daily Prayer Offices in The Book of Common Prayer
Morning Prayer, Rite 2, page 75, Book of Common Prayer
Noonday Prayer, p. 103, Book of Common Prayer
Order of Worship for Evening (Vespers), p. 109, Book of Common Prayer
Evening Prayer, Rite 2, page 115, Book of Common Prayer
Compline (Night Prayer), Page 127, Book of Common Prayer
Daily Devotionals, page 136, Book of Common Prayer
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