NOTES for Mar 9:42-50

The motives of our actions, even the most large-scale ones, sometimes turn out to be secondary and insignificant things. Momentary considerations distort our vision, and we are guided by what we should by no means be guided by. This is precisely what Christ's words sound about today: "it is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go to Gehenna, to the unquenchable fire." The point is that we violate the commandments for the sake of achieving momentary benefits and pleasures. The Lord calls us to see ourselves and our whole life as a whole.

At the end of the chapter the evangelist Mark gives His words about salt, without which, according to the Old Testament, no sacrifice can be offered. In the ritual context salt appears as a symbol of faithfulness and faith, and mentions of it in the New Testament in relation to the disciples give grounds to think that the Lord Himself also used this symbol in this way. Consequently, as an alternative to the petty motives that lead us into sin, the Lord gives us precisely faith and peace among us.