ANYONE WHO IS NOT AGAINST US IS FOR US

XXVI SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - Mark 9:38-43,45,47-48

In any group and in any movement, the members are always tempted to surround themselves with walls, so that they exclude everybody who does not belong to them. There are the ones within, who share the same values and, therefore, have the same rights and the ones without, who cannot be recognised and accepted, because they do not belong to the group. These outsiders are demonised in such a way that we cannot find good in them and we cannot grant them the right to do good. It is as if we have the monopoly of the truth, of goodness and of salvation. We are guided by a tribalist mentality, in which those who do not belong to our tribe (our group) are seen as our enemies, who must be ignored, despised and even fought.

This Sunday’s gospel shows the apostles having a similar attitude. John approached Jesus and told him: “Master, we saw a man who is not one of us casting out devils in your name; and because he was not one of us we tried to stop him” (Mk 9:38). Because he was “not one of us”, he could not do anything good and he should be stopped, when he tried. Certainly, the apostles thought that they should protect their identity, that is, what makes them different and worthy of recognition. Jesus would not have any of that: “You must not stop him: no one who works a miracle in my name is likely to speak evil of me. Anyone who is not against us is for us” (Mk 9:39-40). We must recognise goodness wherever we find it. In any culture and in any religion, we can find people who do good and who allow themselves to be guided by the Spirit of God.

This Sunday’s gospel deals with another topic - a very important topic, which has become extremely relevant in our times, mainly these last times. Mark presents a saying from Jesus about scandal and abuse, mainly abuse of the “little ones”. 

Reading the daily papers, listening to the radio, watching tv or searching the internet, we find a nearly daily menu of news, commentaries and talks about sex scandals in the Church. For too long, the people involved in the sexual abuse of those entrusted to them have gone not only unpunished but even protected by those in higher authority. Instead of protecting the vulnerable being abused, the perpetrators were protected and their crimes were covered up. In this way, the poison was being spread, giving the idea that the ones doing so were untouchable. Surely, the perpetrators of child sexual abuse are sinners who need salvation like all sinners. However, salvation is given only to those who recognise their sin, ask for forgiveness and engage themselves to walk on the road of conversion. If we just cover the dung that is hidden, it will cause everything to get rotten and nauseating.

All of us are sinners and are in need of conversion, but there are certain things that should never be found among those who felt the call to be shepherds of God’s people. That’s why Jesus used very harsh words, saying:

“But anyone who is an obstacle to bring down one of these little ones who have faith would be better thrown into the sea with a great millstone round his neck” (Mk 9:42).

When a big scandal took place in Corinth, Paul was quick to give the punishment, expelling the man from the community (1 Cor 5:1-5). Later on, when he showed repentance, Paul accepted him back. However, our main concern should be always to protect the ones who are being abused and cannot protect themselves. And crimes must be treated as crimes. As Christians, we are called to make penance for all the sinners and to pray for their conversion. We must examine as well the kind of people we accept in the seminaries and who are admitted to the priesthood.

Jesus advises each one of us to be strict with himself/ herself in order to follow the demands of the Gospel. We must stay or throw away whatever leads us to abandon our commitment to the Gospel and to Jesus Christ so that we remain faithful to Jesus’ way.