Gospel (Mk 9,41-50) - At that time, Jesus said to his disciples: «Whoever gives you a glass of water to drink in my name because you belong to Christ, truly I say to you, will not lose his reward. Whoever scandalizes even one of these little ones who believe in me, it is much better for him that a millstone be hung around his neck and he be thrown into the sea. If your hand causes you to scandal, cut it off: it is better for you to enter life with one hand, rather than with two hands to go into Geènna, into the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off: it is better for you to enter life with one foot, rather than being thrown into Gehenna with both feet. And if your eye causes you to stumble, throw it away: it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, than with two eyes to be thrown into Gehenna, where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched. For everyone will be salted with fire. Good thing is salt; but if the salt becomes tasteless, with what will you give it flavor? Have salt in yourselves and be at peace with one another."

The commentary on the Gospel by Monsignor Vincenzo Paglia

“Whoever gives you a glass of water to drink in my name, because you belong to Christ, will not lose his reward” says Jesus. In the name of Jesus the disciples can receive that glass of water which indicates that we have been welcomed. Giving a drink was the gesture of welcome for the pilgrim and the traveller: they - says Jesus - receive it because they belong to Christ. Those who decide to no longer belong to themselves belong to Christ, those who choose the freedom, but also the poverty of belonging to him. The poor belong to him, those who have nothing, the many little ones, for whom even giving a single glass of water (as reported in the Gospel of Matthew) can save their entire life, and he will not lose his reward. Truly in welcoming and serving those who are welcomed and those who are served are confused with those who welcome and those who serve. We should always remember that everything we do is actually always only in his name and not in ours. And how much attention, wisdom and intelligence must be used, knowing that we bear the name of Jesus, that is, being Christians. Jesus uses harsh words towards those who scandalize "even one of these little ones" who believe in him! Scandal are harsh words, little hope, indifference in the face of evil. The scandal is refusing that glass of water. The laws designed not to save people at sea, to make solidarity difficult, are a scandal. It's the diabolical logic of "I come first". Scandal is always a concrete fact, for example hands raised against others, or kept closed out of greed, eyes turning the other way. This is why we need to cut because there is no possible compromise with evil. And cutting does not mean losing but finding: gaining a good eye, a generous hand, a step of love. Better to lose something than your heart and soul behind yourself.