26th Sunday of the Year

by Mairead Morrissey, OP

 

We recall from last week’s readings that “jealousy and self-ambition” do not reflect our true nature and identity as Christians. Today’s First Reading addresses this very issue. When Joshua witnesses Eldad and Medad prophesying — because they were not at the ritual where they received the Spirit — he wants Moses to stop them. Moses rebukes Joshua with, “Are you jealous for my sake?” The Spirit, resting on Moses, the elders, and Eldad and Medad, was not to give them a self-ambitious boost in authority. The ancient practice of setting some people apart for leadership was not to be confused with setting them above others. Seeking ambition or being jealous of the of gifts of others was not to be tolerated.

In the second reading James invites us to follow God and not strive to accumulate wealth or fame. He warns the prosperous members of the community that the riches they have accumulated do not give them special privileges. He charges them with being boastful in declaring their self-sufficiency and failing to do what they know is just concerning the poor. They have set themselves apart and have forgotten the needs of others. Always striving for something better, something bigger, wanting to have enough and often in fact more than enough – will not bring them into the presence of God.  The Prophets and the teachings in Scripture constantly remind us of the challenge, to take up your cross and follow me! As Moses spoke, How I wish that all would follow the Lord!  How I wish that all were prophets!

We are at a point in the Gospel of Mark where a connecting thread running through various incidents and sayings is not easy to find, though all are subsumed into the overriding concern of Jesus throughout the journey, which is to instruct his disciples concerning his passion and death. What makes that instruction so difficult for the disciples to accept is their preconceived idea of the glory that is due to them as leading co-workers of the Messiah. In several incidents and instructions, including those making up today’s Gospel, Jesus chips away at the notion that messiahship and being associated with it will bring privilege, rather than involving that which is extremely important about such belonging, readiness for costly service instead of resting on privilege and power.

The disciples were disturbed when they came upon someone using the name of Jesus’ to cast out demons. They did their best to put a stop to his activity because, as they explained to Jesus, “he was not one of us.” Instead of approval they get a mild rebuke. Jesus does not mind his name being used by another for a good purpose. The main thing is that people are being set free from the power of Satan and brought back to fullness of life. The disciples are less focused on the objective good being done and more concerned about an outsider’s use of what they see as their privilege and possession.

This brings to our attention one of those moments in the life of Jesus that, even if only briefly mentioned, carries profound significance for contemporary Christians and religions. Is there not a temptation in every religion and even within religions to elitism and exclusivity? It is a very dangerous attitude and one which we need to be aware of and understand. Here John the beloved disciple clearly succumbs to this temptation. Jesus seizes the opportunity to teach that the gifts and blessings of God are not exclusive to his “known” followers. God can work good and even miraculous things through his “anonymous” followers. When the Apostle John approached Jesus and said, “Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us” (Mark 9:38). I can only imagine the zeal with which John defended their master’s good name. Jesus’ response, on the other hand, is extremely pertinent. “Do not prevent him” Jesus says. 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” (Mark 9:40). Here it is very clear that we are not the only ones representing God in this world.

That wrong-doing is a community concern rather than simply a private matter accounts for the severity of the “remedies” Jesus suggests in the Gospel. Our own salvation and that of other members of the community is of such importance that we must be prepared to act against immediate self-interest or temptation to safeguard it and “choose the way to righteousness with decision and clarity”.  It’s not whether one is inside or outside the community that matters but whether one has performed the services expected for the good of the community. The challenge is to live as deeply and thoroughly as possible, to deal with the reality of life, discover truth and act out of love.