Saying Goodbye to a “Hand” or “Foot”
- davidwperk
- Nov 20
- 5 min read
Devotional Reflection, Thursday, November 20, 2025
Proper 28, the week of the twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost
The Rev. David W. Perkins, Th.D.
Key phrases for reflection from today’s reading:
4Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5Whoever 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.
Daily Office Lectionary Readings (BCP, 992)
AM Psalm 105:1-22; PM Psalm 105:23-45
1 Macc. 4:1-25; Rev. 21:22-22:5; Matt. 18:1-9
Today we celebrate the Feasts of Edmund of East Anglia. (See below.)
David's Reflections
Our generation obviously did not invent the issues of turf and power. Jesus' followers in today’s reading are asking questions of rank and primacy. Jesus subverted that entire line of reasoning by standing a child in their midst and challenging them to embrace a child-like humility. A child has no past history of accomplishment with which it can promote itself above others.
I would not want to demonize having a spirit of competitiveness. Wanting to be the best student you can, the best parent, the best vocalist, the best . . . . such healthy ambition mobilizes our energies toward achievement. Yet, competitiveness has a dark side when it becomes about achieving rank and power over another person, about feeding our pride and sense of superiority. When we forget that our abilities and opportunities come to us as gifts, we become vulnerable to self-elevation.
Within this passage the sense of the term "little ones" shifts from the child to those young in faith. Those new to faith in Christ can be offended easily and wounded by the turf wars and power machinations of more veteran Christians.
If a "little one" drops out of the Christian community because he or she cannot abide the power conflicts and/or because he or she gets caught in them, Jesus makes the more mature culpable. (The reverse of what we tend to do—blame the drop outs and make them responsible for finding their way back into community.)
To what might Jesus be referring when he challenges us to amputate an arm or foot to avoid offending a little one? Could that arm or foot consist of the desire for power, rank, and control?
Christians wounded elsewhere or simply lapsed from actively living their faith often find their way into Episcopal churches. That makes the policing of our hearts regarding our turf issues and petty grievances even more pressing. The stakes are high; the possibilities for wounding those previously wounded become much greater.
Saying goodbye to a "hand" or "foot" feels far less painful than saying goodbye to a brother or sister. I think of Jesus as having the humility of that little child. He did not regard himself as greater, which makes him even more of a miracle to me. Join me in giving thanks for every member of our faith communities. Join me in resolving not to be an occasion of stumbling for one of the “little ones.”
German theologian Jürgen Moltmann put it very well. "In this community the competitive struggle which turns people into lonely individuals is ended, and the social chill of a heartless world vanishes.”*
*Jürgen Moltmann, Experiences in Theology: Ways and Forms of Christian Theology, trans. Margaret Kohl (Minneapolis: Fortress, 2000), p. 330.
Collect of the Day, Proper 28, the twenty-thirdSunday after Pentecost
Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP, 236)
Today we celebrate the Feast of Edmund of East Anglia, king and martyr (died 20 Nov 870 CE)
Collect of the Feast of Edmund
Merciful God, who gave grace and fortitude to Edmund to die nobly for your Name: Bestow on us your servants the shield of faith, with which we can withstand the assaults of our ancient enemy; through Jesus Christ our Redeemer, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
For Knowledge of God’s Creation
Almighty and everlasting God, you made the universe with all its marvelous order, its atoms, worlds, and galaxies, and the infinite complexity of living creatures: Grant that, as we probe the mysteries of your creation, we may come to know
you more truly, and more surely fulfill our role in your eternal purpose; in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 827)
A Collect for the Presence of Christ
Lord Jesus, stay with us, for evening is at hand and the day is past; be our companion in the way, kindle our hearts, and awaken hope, that we may know you as you are revealed in Scripture and the breaking of bread. Grant this for the sake of your love. Amen. (BCP, 124)
In the Order of Worship for Evening
Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers, creator of the changes of day and night, giving rest to the weary, renewing the strength of those who are spent, bestowing upon us occasions of song in the evening. As you have protected us in the day that is past, so be with us in the coming night; keep us from every sin, every evil, and every fear; for you are our light and salvation, and the strength of our life. To you be glory for endless ages. Amen. (BCP, 113)
A Collect for Mission
O God and Father of all, whom the whole heavens adore: Let the whole earth also worship you, all nations obey you, all tongues confess and bless you, and men and women everywhere love you and serve you in peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 124)
Daily Office Gospel, Matthew 18:1-9
18:1At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, ‘Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ 2He called a child, whom he put among them, 3and said, ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5Whoever 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. 9And 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.
Daily Offices in The Book of Common Prayer
Morning Prayer, Rite 2, page 75, The Book of Common Prayer
Noonday Prayer, page 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
Comments