“FIRST IMPRESSIONS”

26th SUNDAY (B) September 29, 2024

Numbers 11: 25-29; Psalm 19; James 5: 1-6;
Mark 9: 38-43, 47-48

By: Jude Siciliano, OP

Dear Preachers:

Why did Jesus’ disciples object to an exorcist, who was not of their company, using Jesus’ name to drive out demons? Did they think they were a privileged inner circle claiming Jesus’ power over evil spirits only for themselves? Were they like privileged members of an exclusive club? Can we members of Jesus’ community look beyond our borders and see his Spirit at work in the world among those who may not claim to be part of our community?

Yes, we treasure our baptized membership in Jesus’ church and we derive great meaning and support as his followers. But Jesus challenges us not to isolate ourselves, as the disciples seemed to be doing. They rejected the “outsider’s” use of the powers Jesus had given them. Jesus wasn’t so fussy. The man was doing a good work. Jesus seemed willing to share his power with those outside his group, since good was being done.

The disciples were guarding their territory. They saw themselves as having priority – “the official group of disciples.” Their competitive mentality keeps them from seeing the benefits to those being helped by one they considered an outsider. People were being freed of what kept them bound, good was being done, and yet the disciples close a blind eye to it.

Anyone doing exorcism in Jesus’ name would not speak ill of him, nor wish him harm. Jesus had said previously they belong to his family. “And looking about at those who sat around him, he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of God is my brother, sister and mother.’” (Mark 3:34-35)

Look around at the good works others are doing, the works Jesus asks his disciples to perform: feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the prisoner, heal the sick, etc. If that is what Jesus wanted done are there others, besides us, doing those works? Can we therefore recognize Jesus’ Spirit in them, even if they are not with us at Sunday worship? Wouldn’t it be wonderful if everyone would be doing “Jesus’ works,” whether or not they were with us? If good is being done Jesus would seem to want us to affirm it, even if it were done by “outsiders.” The community should find non-exclusive ways to affirm its identity. Jesus warns we should not put stumbling blocks in the ways of people seeking to know through us who Jesus is. Hold back quick judgment.

Jesus is calling us to be less restrictive and to see those doing God’s will as part of our company, unless they prove otherwise by showing hostility, or holding values contrary to those of God’s kingdom. We must not exclude; let others do that by the way they behave and what they believe. We disciples are to welcome those who seek to drive out evil in its multitude of disguises.

Jesus also warned his disciples that they themselves might stumble. He uses plain language to make his point: “If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off… If your foot causes you to sin, cut it off.” (Imagine if we took him literally! We would have no hands, or feet, to serve him.) We get the point.

Jesus warns about causing scandal to the “little ones.” He welcomed and embraced children. (Cf. Last Sunday’s gospel, Mark 9:30-37) But the “little ones” he is referring to are those simple ones who believe in him. One translation has it, “those insignificant believers.” These “little ones” might be those who follow Christ and do simple loving acts in his name. They may not be able to quote the doctrines of the faith, but their lives reveal that they are living those teachings every day.

So, for example, they might do something as simple as offering a, “cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ.” The “big actors” in the community are not just those who can overcome the powers of evil, but also those who perform simple acts of kindness. Jesus is saying, let’s not overlook the latter because the big deeds of the former distract us. The acts of the “little ones” do as much to create God’s kingdom on earth as the attention-grabbing acts of those called “great.” These little ones do what they do because they believe in Christ and he embraces them. Therefore, by embracing these “little ones” we are embracing Christ.

We must strive to follow Jesus’ teachings and do God’s will. He’s addressing us, not as outsiders, warning us that we must take the gospel seriously and live in its light. It is John who puts the question to Jesus about the outsider using Jesus’ name to do good works. John, along with Peter and James, was one of those closest to Jesus. The phrase, “in my name,” appears only in Mark’s gospel. The disciples are connecting the “name” of Jesus with his identity and power. It is what we Christians do when we observe his teaching and do his work, we act “in the name of Jesus.” We bring his living presence into the world.

Click here for a link to this Sunday’s readings:

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/092924.cfm