Gracious Father, who desires that we live well and enjoy your creation, let us not despair at pains and losses and troubles that we endure when they lead us to your will and your ways. Teach us to be glad that through them we may draw closer to you, through your son Jesus Christ, who reigns with you in the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
‘If your hand causes you to sin, 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. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame than to have two feet and to be thrown into hell.’ – Mark 9:43, 45