Religion & Spirituality
Who is your rival? Even the church has a rival and we perpetually look over our shoulder to see what they are up to. In our gospel reading, Mark 9.38-50, the disciples call out a new rival in their midst and Jesus responds, though probably not as they expected. He keeps talking about kids and service and the cross. This time he even ramps up his teaching by recommending the sudden removal of appendages (he's being intentionally ridiculous, BTW, don't cut off your hands). There is something about rivalries that seems to get Jesus worked up.