God’s Kingdom and Stumbling Blocks

by Deacon Lorna Goodison on September 23, 2021

Once there was a man who sat at a street corner day and night. He was blind, yet he always had a lantern with him. One night, a passer-by asked him why he kept the lantern glowing, even though he was blind. The blind man responded, “so that no one stumbles over me.”  In last Sunday’s gospel reading, the disciples stumbled over their misunderstanding of greatness and Jesus taught them that greatness in God’s eyes is measured by humility and service to others. This Sunday, (Mark 9:38-50) the disciples stumble over their misunderstanding of belonging and discipleship.  

The disciple John tells Jesus that someone, not numbered among His followers was “casting out demons in Your name.” They tried to stop him because “he was not following us.” The disciples were outraged that an outsider, someone who did not belong to the “in-group” was doing what Jesus did! Jesus introduced to the disciples and us an expanded concept of discipleship. He told his disciples not to stop the person. Belonging is not a clique-like exclusiveness. Instead, “whoever is not against us is for us.”

God’s mission to usher in the kingdom will be accomplished through all who offer themselves to serve others in Jesus’ name. Therefore, all who are furthering God’s kingdom belong. The service performed may be mighty, like casting out demons or as small as giving a disciple a cup of water, but all is done in Jesus’ name and for the glory of God. And the follower, doing all from a heart turned to God, will speak no ill of Jesus, only praise and honor.

Like the disciples, we stumble over our spiritual misunderstandings. We humbly petition our Lord for the gift of wisdom to discern our interior stumbling blocks that restrict our and others’ path to the kingdom.

We pray for the grace to willingly surrender all our ways, thoughts, and attitudes to God. We pray for the strength to break away, symbolically described as cutting off bodily parts, from all that impede our holiness and prevent us from serving in Christ’s name and welcoming all persons for the kingdom’s sake.   

Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, the power and the glory. Amen.

Tags: wisdom, path, strength, surrender, welcoming, stumble, spiritual misunderstanding

About the Author
Deacon Lorna Goodison

Reverend Lorna Goodison was ordained to the Diaconate on April 29, 2007. After discerning a call to ordained ministry, Deacon Lorna completed a process of spiritual discernment and pursued three years of study at the Diocesan School for Christian Studies. She also completed three units of hospice care training through Vitas and for a short while she was a volunteer Chaplain. Highlights of her continuing education activities include a guided visit to Israel and attending the Festival of Homiletics in Boulder, Colorado.

Soon after her ordination, Deacon Lorna was called to serve as Deacon at St. Mary Magdalene. She initiated an outreach ministry to the homeless at St. Laurence Chapel, obtaining the support and involvement of most members of the congregation. This ministry remained a vibrant outreach of the Church until the Chapel closed in 2019.  Other outreach ministries formed include an informal group of members who stay in touch with members who are ill and shut-in. Deacon Lorna remains committed to both the in-reach and outreach ministries of the Church. She has led quiet day reflections for groups within and outside of St. Mary Magdalene. She has often led Deacon’s Masses at small churches without a priest. Of all the ministries in which Deacon Lorna participates, she is most humbled and grateful to be involved in the ministry of praying with congregants facing life’s challenges.

Deacon Lorna serves the Diocese of Southeast Florida as a member of the Disciplinary Committee. She also serves on the Board of Deacons.   

Professionally, Deacon Lorna worked for some years in Human Resource Departments as a Training Manager, but most of her working years were spent in Social Work. She worked with at-risk teenagers counselling them and guiding them to resources to build a meaningful future. The last twenty years of her profession, were spent working with Seniors, guiding them to the resources needed to maintain their safety and independence. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Work and a master’s degree in Adult Education. She is now retired, cherishes some alone time for prayer and reflection, but divides her time between the Church and her family which consists of two daughters, their husbands and three grandchildren.

Back to Deacon's Corner