Twenty-sixth Sunday of
Ordinary Time (B) [Mk 9:38-43.45.47-48]
26.09.2021
An Anonymous Exorcist and Temptations to Sin
1. Theme in brief
Radical and painful demands of discipleship
2. Focus Statement
A Christian disciple is called to overcome tendencies of intolerance and
sectarianism, and to make even the most difficult and painful sacrifices to
avoid becoming a cause for sin or scandal, especially to the little ones.
3. Explanation of the text
Today’s
gospel speaks about Jesus’ disapproval of
disciples’ intolerant and exclusive
attitude towards those who were unlike them (9:38-40), and the serious
consequences of becoming a stumbling
block, or of giving a scandal to the little ones
who believed in Jesus (9:42-47). It begins with a report given by one of the
Twelve, John, about their attempt to stop an unnamed exorcist who was making
use of the name of Jesus to cast out
demons, though he did not belong to the
group of his followers (9:38). To use the name of Jesus means to use his authority. Instead of stating that this exorcist
was not following Jesus, John reports: "He is not following us" (9:38) – as if all disciples had to
follow the Twelve and not Jesus. Jesus had never said, "Follow my
disciples." Instead, he frequently said, "Follow me" (cf. Mk 1:17; 2:14). John and the
rest of the Twelve thought they alone had the monopoly
of using the name and authority of Jesus. They expected him to justify their work of restraining that exorcist
and praise them for their ‘good work.’
But
they were surprised to hear Jesus disapproving their action. According to him no
one could do a “deed of power” (mighty
work or miracle) in his name and at the same be his enemy (9:39). If they did
mighty works in his name it was understood that they were not “against us” but “for us” (9:40). We can find traces of ambition among the Twelve now itself which will
come out in the open in the days to come (Mk 10:35-37). We can also find traces
of envy against that exorcist because the
Twelve were not able to cast out demons from a possessed boy who was brought to
them (9:17-18). Here we notice the contrast between the failure of “certified”
disciples and the success of an “uncertified” non-member outside their group who
successfully cast out demons in “your (Jesus’) name” (9:38) without any authorization.
The
Twelve wished nobody else should assume their unique
position. While John was trying to put the boundary line Jesus was redrawing
the boundary. What that exorcist did was fully in line with Jesus’ mission of combating evil – an important sign of
God’s Kingdom. In that case, how could he be against Jesus or his disciples? The
same thing happened at the time of Moses when Eldad and Medad got the gift of
prophecy. Though they were not among the seventy elders appointed by Moses, they
too prophesized. Joshua wanted Moses to stop them. But Moses told him not to be jealous of them and wished that all the Lord’s
people were endowed with the gift of prophecy (Numbers 11:29).
Next,
Jesus contrasted the humblest service,
such as giving a cup of water to drink to those who bear the name of Christ,
with the scandals caused to “the little
ones”. By using the words "little ones who believe in me” (9:42) Jesus
might have meant either those who are new to Christian faith or those who are not mature in faith or are vulnerable. The Greek word ‘skandalon’ is
used four times in the latter part of today’s text (9:42-47), which is
translated in various ways: "stumbling,” “stumbling block,"
“scandal,” “offence,” “giving cause to sin,” etc. A scandal may lead the
vulnerable people either to lose their faith or go to imitate sinful ways.
We
find in this text an exaggerated and symbolic language used by Jesus to
highlight the seriousness of becoming a stumbling block to the "little
ones." First he said sternly that it would be better for such
scandalizers if they were thrown into the sea with a millstone hung around
their neck (9:42). Secondly he said that one must be willing to make even
the most difficult sacrifice to avoid
scandal or sin, even if it pained as much as cutting off one’s hand, foot or
plucking out one’s eye (9:43-47). The goal for which everything must be
sacrificed is called “to enter life”
(9:44, 45) and it is equated with entering the Kingdom
of God (9:47). At times, upholding the values
of God’s Kingdom, doing his will,
remaining faithful to Christ, might become so painful; it would be like cutting
off a hand or a foot or tearing off an eye. But in order to find real life one
must be willing to undergo such a painful ‘surgery.’ It is a choice between
giving up that scandal and giving up God forever – explained in unusually harsh
terms like going to the unquenchable fire of hell (9:43). What Jesus meant was:
it is better to enter life maimed than to cause others to sin and be thrown
into hell.
4. Application to life
Today’s
message challenges us to examine how clannish,
ghetto-minded, intolerant, sectarian
and envious we could become when others do not agree with us, or do better work
outside our organization. While disproving the tendencies of his twelve
disciples towards pettiness,
cliquishness, exclusivism, arrogance
and envy towards those who did good
work but did not belong to their group, Jesus challenged them to be more inclusive, open and broad-minded towards any
good-willed people outside their fold. Like
the person who was casting out demons in Christ’s name, there are many persons in
our world today who are involved in the work of eradication of social evils,
working for peace and justice, and empowerment of the powerless. They may be doing
it in individual capacity (like the honest officials who fight corruption and
crime), or through movements and organizations (like the NGOs). They may not
belong to our religion or Church. Sometimes such persons may be opponents of
our religion or ideology. But as long as they do good work for humanity, they
all belong to Christ. Christ, his grace, and the work of the Holy Spirit cannot
be restricted to the boundaries of our
religion or the Church. The Spirit blows
where he wills (cf. Jn 3:8).
In
today’s gospel Jesus calls his disciples to imbibe an inclusive vision of life.
Here we get a glimpse of the heart of God in the heart of Jesus. In his heart
there is a place for all those who do good work. We are called to be large-hearted and broadminded like Christ who
said that all those who are not against his teaching or mission on earth are
for him (us), though they do not profess his name. Intolerance
and sectarianism are the signs of arrogance and are unbecoming of Christian
disciples. Tolerance and respect for
others’ religion, viewpoint, traditions/customs and co-operation with any
people of good-will for common causes are clearly the signs of the times – not
only in the multi-religious and multi-cultural context of Asian countries but
also in the fast growing cosmopolitan cities in a globalized world where we walk
shoulder to shoulder with so many immigrants who may be different from us in race,
ethnicity, culture, religion, etc. If we refuse to see the truth beyond our
frontiers, is this not a sheer arrogance? Any kind of exclusivism leads not
only to counter-witness but also makes followers of other religions suspect the
motive behind our good works. If “God
shows no partiality, but in every nation
anyone who fears him and does what is right, is acceptable to him” (Acts
10: 34-35), why can’t his children imitate something of his nature?.
There
is a tendency in many of us to downgrade, condemn,
slander, ridicule, put down and make derogatory
remarks against anybody who is different from us. Since the
It
is not necessary to work wonders to claim to be Christ’s followers. Even a smallest deed of kindness done, even giving a
cup of water, to the ministers of Christ is a deed done to Christ, because they
“bear the name of Christ” (9:41). Church leaders carry such an important responsibility because people believe that
they are close to Christ. Many people look to them for model, believe their
words, trust in them. A public scandal
can do irreparable harm to those who are weak in faith or vulnerable because
they consider spiritual leaders as persons of God. From today’s text we get the
impression that Jesus was telling the Twelve, instead of judging outsiders that
they should look into themselves and see
whether they become a stumbling block to others’ faith. Sometimes we are
so preoccupied with blaming and condemning outsiders while our own behaviour becomes
a stumbling block for others.
Further,
Jesus instructs his disciples that anything that causes a serious sin must be dealt with drastically. If any deep-rooted habit, friendship, lucrative job and
pleasurable entertainment leads us to go against the values of God’s Kingdom
and doing his will, we face the dilemma of either giving up that person/ thing/
job, or giving up God and his Kingdom
or divine life altogether. Cutting off a deep-rooted bad habit; giving up a job
or thing that leads to sin; severing or breaking
off a relationship/ friendship with a person who leads to sin;
abandoning a habit/ custom/ tradition to which we are so attached or which is
so dear to us but negates God’s values; requires a radical decision. It is so
hard. When one of the legs is injured beyond any treatment doctors suggest
amputation of that leg to save the whole body and preserve life. Similarly in
spiritual life and moral field we may have to give up something or someone dear
to us in order to save us from sin. For example, in developing countries we are
facing the problem of young girls going to cities as domestic helpers. If they
are sexually abused by their employers, both the domestic helpers and their
parents (when they come to know) have to make a choice: either to remain in
that immoral state or give up that job and its salary. Leaving the ‘job’ may amount
to cutting off the hand or leg.
Therefore,
Jesus compares this sacrifice in drastic terms such as cutting off one’s hand,
amputating one’s foot and plucking out one’s eye. If anybody or anything so
dear to us leads us to sin, prevents us from upholding human dignity/ rights
and do justice, we have to choose between giving up that person/thing and giving up God. If that which is dear to us
becomes a stumbling-block or a cause of sin, either we part with it or part
with God or part with peace of our conscience.
I am deeply aware of my own difficulties/ dilemma in practicing this teaching
of Christ in the modern world, and especially of the problem faced by
Christians working in jobplaces, business , industries or political fields. But
we cannot dilute or totally throw out this teaching of Christ. Therefore, each
one of us must find ways of living this principle at least in private and
personal life even in a small way. Plucking out the eye and cutting off the
hand and foot can also be applied to mortifying/ killing/ crucifying our lust/
greed/ selfish desires that lead to sin. Any person who wants to come out of
deep-rooted habits such as addiction to alcohol/ drugs/ sex/ TV/ internet/
overeating, needs to cut off friends/ relationships/ places associated with
these addictions. Jesus insists on certain choices we may have to make in life
which demand from us painful sacrifices.
They are matters which are worth any
sacrifice.
5. Response to God's Word
What
is our attitude towards those who do not belong to our Church, denomination,
religion, ethnic group, if they do much better service than us and our own
community? Do we feel comfortable if the Spirit to blows where it wills (cf. Jn
3:8), or do we want to restrict the movement of the Spirit? Do we condemn them
or rejoice with them? Do we, as disciples of Christ, become a stumbling block
to others in such a way that we ourselves become the biggest obstacle for the
cause of the gospel of Christ? Are we willing to give up a person, situation or
job that destroys our life or causes damage to our character, though very dear
and profitable to us?
6.
A prayer
Deliver
us, O Lord, from all clannish, ghetto-minded, intolerant, sectarian and envious
behaviour towards those who are different from us. Guard us against all pettiness,
cliquishness, exclusivism and arrogance towards those who do good work but do not
belong to our group or community. Grant that we may be more inclusive, open and
broad-minded towards any good-willed people outside our fold. Give us the grace and courage to choose the
values of your Kingdom even when it demands painful sacrifices. Amen.
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