For whoever is not against us is for us – (Mk 9:38-10)
Today's Gospel is struck by the gap between Jesus 'tolerance and openness and the mentality of His disciples. Jesus' disciples, who have recently found themselves powerless in the face of an unclean spirit, now criticize the man who does so in the name of Jesus because he is not part of their group. A similar event took place in the life of Moses (Numbers 11: 24ff). When he complained about the excess of responsibilities, God instructed him to choose seventy elders to whom he had send his Spirit. From then on, they were to bear responsibility for the people with Moses. When Joshua later jealously reports to Eldad and Medada that they were prophesying even though they were not present when the spirit came to rest of people, Moses replied, "May all the people of the LORD were prophets! If only the LORD would bestow his spirit on them!" (See Numbers 11:29).
The Holy Spirit guides everyone differently. He works not only by the seventy elders but also by those who are "outside the tent"; it works not only through the twelve but also through those outside the Church community. God's Spirit cannot be imprisoned. The spirit is free. He is not bound by any ritual. It works outside of human structures.
Each of us has a mission and the gifts we need to accomplish it. God's Spirit is at work in each of us, and everyone can prophesy - albeit in different ways. Christ and His Spirit are not only with one person or with one category of people. Jesus came to everyone. That is why he wants to tell us today: Do not be jealous. On the contrary, rejoice that God's work can grow in others, including those who think and believe differently.
God gave us different Gifts, No one gift is inferior to another.
Once we realize that we shall be judged by the gifts we have received, rather than by the gifts we have not, we will be completely delivered from a false sense of Inferiority. No one is more or less than another, we are all sons and daughters of God!
The Church is a community of communities and there should be a place for everyone in it because each of us has a different expression. We experience certain things differently; some people pray lively others need silence.
Creating divisions serves no one. This cry of John: Lord, forbid him to do so, because he is not one of us it can also be applied to various groups opposed to ecumenism, to people who have blinders on and still live in the belief that Protestants or Pentecostals are the worse because they are not Catholics. Meanwhile, we all believe that Jesus Christ is Lord and, in his name, miracles can happen in our lives. So, it is worth remembering what Jesus replied: 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.
Until Tomorrow
fr. george