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Gospel: Mark 9:38 – 40
John said to Jesus,
“Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name,
and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us.”
Jesus replied, “Do not prevent him.
There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name
who can at the same time speak ill of me.
For whoever is not against us is for us.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
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I wonder why the disciples tried preventing a person from doing good work. Casting a demon out of a someone is an act of charity!
The disciples should’ve rejoiced that a stranger had access to Christ’s power. It was a sign that the kingdom was growing!
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Maybe they were afraid of sharing their authority – of losing their power.
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Fortunately, Jesus is not. “Whoever is not against us is for us,” he says.
Jesus intends to widen his circle of followers until it includes everyone. All Christians have access to him – and we are called to do good deeds in his name.
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Our community is designed accordingly. While I may be the “pastor,” each of us is called to share in the yoke of Christ’s ministry.
Many of you, for example, are involved in parish ministries: the Knights of Columbus, the Soup Kitchen, Welcome and Hospitality, and so on.
Others serve on staff.
Still others bring communion to the sick, wash the linens for Mass, care for an ill spouse, pray for our church, or keep a close eye on the SPX café, making sure the pots are filled and the coffee is stocked.
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Like the anonymous Christian in today’s Gospel, how do I build up the kingdom of God?
Or what’s one good work I can do in Christ’s name today?
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Image credits: (1) Bridges for Peace (2) Buckhannon Alliance Church (3) Doing Good Works, Wholeness/Oneness/Justice