Word to the Wise
Sunday, September 27, 2015 - 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time - B
[Num 11:25-29; Jas 5:1-6; Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48]"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." [Mark]
Jesus' openness contrasts sharply with that of his disciples. It appears that they thought they, and they alone, had the power to cast out demons in Jesus' name. The problem was an old one even in Jesus' time. The scripture from the Book of Numbers shows an incident when some of Moses' assistants complained about prophets that they thought were not appointed. However, the Spirit of God had come on them, too, and Moses was aware of that. His reply is: "Would that all the people of the Lord were prophets!"
Power has a way of "corrupting," as Lord Acton noted. Jesus warns against a kind of "group arrogance" that claims a monopoly on proclaiming the gospel. The Church has not been immune to that problem. It enters into every aspect of church life from apostolic succession to parish councils! The temptation to create "ins" and "outs" is a strong one and cripples evangelization.
Just before last Christmas, Pope Francis took the Roman Curia to task for just this kind of attitude, but we could all benefit from his prophetic warning. On the positive side we might remember that at baptism, we did indeed receive the gift of God's Spirit and are called to "prophesy" in the name of Jesus. This is a powerful reality and must be exercised with an understanding of our faith as expressed in the Scriptures, Creed and Tradition. The existence of the papal office is the guarantor of what is preached. But the pope won't have anything to do if we don't preach and enable others to preach as well. Jesus and Moses are speaking to us today (along with Pope Francis). I hope the whole Church is listening! AMEN
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