Word to the Wise
Wednesday, May 23, 2018 - Wednesday in the 7th Week in Ordinary Time
[Jas 4:13-17 and 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." [Mark]
Today's segment from the Gospel According to Mark continues the context of power. Yesterday a child was used as an example of how a disciple should minister to the most vulnerable. Today the power of discipleship is on the table. The disciples complain because someone is practicing exorcism in the name of Jesus but is not part of their group. Already there seems to be an "us and them" attitude in Jesus' followers. Jesus issues a blunt correction: For whoever is not against us is for us."
This tendency to consider power as the possession of one individual or one elite group seems to be a universal problem, but when it is a matter of faith and its practice, the church and the message of Jesus are endangered. Among clergy this problem is called "clericalism." But it exists on all levels, from Vatican to local parish, and gives rise to "turf" wars. Some functions or roles in the community do require some training, but appointment to those roles should not be seen as a matter of prestige, but rather a matter of service. And on the level of ordinary charity, who needs a license other than baptism! On the ecumenical level, arrogance about who can be saved or which church is the TRUE church shows just how nasty the problem can be. Jesus' warning is a constant reminder to all who are called to particular service in the Christian community. AMEN