In His Name
Part of getting older, and hopefully wiser, is knowing when to keep your mouth firmly shut. In your opinion, the way that person is cutting an onion, or manoeuvring a car from one lane to another, or writing a reflection on a Gospel reading, is not at all how you would do it. In fact, they are doing it wrong! And should they be doing it at all?
I used to be quite vocal about what other people did. I still set all sorts of boundaries for other people that have little substance other than my own opinions. Time and experience have told me to hold my tongue. One day, I hope to progress to not even thinking such nonsense, and to mind my own business both externally and internally. In this, I pray that God helps, because it’s an adjustment I can’t seem to make alone.
In today’s Gospel, I’m sure John wishes he hadn’t said anything to anyone about casting out demons. Or even thought it.
John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone who does not follow us driving out demons in your name, and because he does not follow us we tried to stop him.” But Jesus said, “Do not stop him; no one who works a deed of power in my name could soon afterwards speak evil of me. Anyone who is not against us is for us.” Mark 9:38-40
This is another call for humility, and to be open to the possibility that it is me, in fact, and not others who are ‘in the wrong’. There is more than one way of doing pretty much anything, and just because someone is different to me, does not give me the right to judge them for it. God's love and grace is for everyone.
Jesus goes on to remind us about acts of kindness that are done for his name.
“If anyone gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ, then, Amen I say to you, that person will most certainly not lose the reward.” Mark 9:41
In the genius of scripture, perhaps these reminders are so close together that we are meant to act upon them in tandem? Maybe we are not just meant to keep our mouths shut when we see others moving over our own arbitrary boundaries? In truth, we are meant to give them a metaphorical glass of water while they are doing it.
Let us be particularly kind to those we are inclined to judge. Let us pray for them and help them. In this way, we may cast out a few demons of our own.
Today's Readings: Numbers 11:25-29 Psalm 18 James 5:1-6 Mark 9:38-43,45,47-48
Photo Credit: George Dolgikh / Adobe Stock
Source: Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
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