Gospel: Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48
At that time, 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. Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink
because you belong to Christ, amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his
reward.
"Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin,
it would be better for him if a great millstone were put around his neck and he
were thrown into the sea. If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is
better for you to enter into life maimed than with two hands to go into
Gehenna, into the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut if
off. It is better for you to enter into life crippled than with two feet to be
thrown into Gehenna. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. Better
for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be
thrown into Gehenna, where 'their worm does not die, and the fire is not
quenched.
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Reflection:
A parish priest was told by a catechist that there was a Christian
denomination who wants to use the parish chapel for their Christian worship.
The catechist was expecting the priest to reject the request but to his
surprise the humble and good-natured priest allowed the Christian denomination
to use the chapel.
Months had passed by and this Christian group was always using the
chapel for their worship. Along with it they had built a solid friendship with
the parish priest anchored on his humility and tolerance. After two years
of friendship and communication the Christian group decided to convert to the
Catholic faith and they were warmly welcomed to the church by the humble and
tolerant priest.
In our gospel for this Sunday Jesus speaks about tolerance, humility and
love for our fellowmen. When John told Jesus that they tried to prevent someone
from driving out demons in His name. Perhaps John was expecting Jesus to
condone his arrogant behavior. But Jesus rebuked John by saying, “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.”
This rebuke of Jesus towards John echoes up to this time and it is not
anymore addressed to John but it is now given to us. We are reminded by Jesus
that if the cause that is being espoused by our fellowmen is also about him or
if it’s for a good purpose. Let us be tolerant by all means.
We must always be tolerant, humble and loving to those who are not
within the loop of our catholic faith. Jesus at all times reminds us also that we
must always live these virtues because this is one of the means that Jesus
could become a living symbol in our lives.
Sometimes it is so tempting to become proud and arrogant because of our status
in life. Or because of the primacy our catholic faith which was founded by
Jesus Himself. But how can we convince others to join our faith if we are
domineering and arrogant? How can we highlight Jesus in our lives if we are
always overbearing and superior? – Marino J. Dasmarinas
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