Reflection for February 26 Wednesday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 9:38-40

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.”

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Reflection:

What prompted John to prevent someone from using the name of Jesus to exorcise a demon? Was it a feeling of superiority because he was directly connected with Jesus? Was it simply arrogance? 

No one has the exclusive right to the name of Jesus; anyone can invoke His name as long as it is for a good cause. We must not fall into the mistake of feeling superior to others simply because we have studied our religion, received an education, or hold a position in the church. 

God allows other Christian faiths to flourish for reasons known only to Him. Therefore, we have no right to claim exclusive ownership of Jesus, for He belongs to all of us. The moment we consider ourselves superior to others because we know Jesus, we cease to be His true followers. 

Jesus is for everyone, regardless of who we are. And everyone has the right to call upon His powerful name for a noble and good purpose. – Marino J. Dasmarinas