"The eye with which I look at God is the eye with which God looks at me!" If God is so much part and parcel of me... remembering I'm made in the image and likeness of God ... how could I possibly allow evil intentions to reside in me?

Jesus is metaphorically telling us to cut off any part of our body that destroys this indwelling presence" of God. We tend to gloss over our material wants which sometimes leads us to excessive behaviour, wanting more than our actual need for the moment. Jesus' directive simply tells us we need to stop and reflect on the harmful effects of our actions towards ourselves and others. In our daily examen we need to discern our unconscious yearnings that invade us. Have I the courage "to pluck out and toss out whatever is harmful to me?"

We are earthern vessels holding a precious treasure. God's transcendent power alone strengthens us to hold firm to the One who created us and holds us in being.