September 27, 2009 Cycle B
Numbers 11:25-29 James 5:1-6 Mark 9:38-43,45,47-48
An exclusive catch cry that often is raised, “But they’re not one of us!” That cry can be raised in many contexts from the bullying on the school playground, to that in the more social, political, and religious arenas, and at Town Hall meetings. “Just consider,” say those speaking out, “Migrants will take our jobs. The asylum seekers will threaten our security. Community housing in our streets for people with disabilities will lower our property values. Ecumenical activity and contact with other religions will dilute our faith! Those who hold these views consider they have a monopoly on wisdom and on insight!
In the Gospel proclaimed today we hear exclusions spoken from the midst of the twelve. John is the angry spokesperson informing Jesus that a man “who is not following us” is casting out demons in your name. The real issue from John’s point of view is not that this man is following Jesus; after all, he is doing his healing acts in Christ’s name, which implies some faith in Jesus. The problem is that he is not following the twelve!
The disciples tried to stop him. Apparently unsuccessfully. Then they make an explicit appeal to Jesus to do something about it. Jesus’ response is to tell John and the others that they should not see a person such as this as a competitor, but rather as a companion along the way. Even if he is not physically traveling with the twelve, because as Jesus says, “Whoever is not against us, is for us.” Work for the Kingdom is not to be the jealousy guarded preserve of the disciples who are physically accompanying Him. Then Jesus expands on what being “with Him” means.
The issue of inclusion and exclusion has a long history in our Church. The disciples wanted to ask about standards, about criteria. How can anyone get admitted no matter what their past has been about? Isn’t it important to set a high standard if you allow people with a low degree into the Kingdom. They think that the best people won’t want to be associated with Jesus.
The response of course is that Jesus says, “That may well be.” The best people might want nothing to do with a Kingdom full of sinners. If lawbreakers get in, then law-abiding folks might opt out. That’s a risk Christ is prepared to take. Those who have achieved righteous through their own efforts are asked to share their privileged space with those who could never make their lives right on the best day with their best efforts. Then – if God’s Grace alone can save them, and does --- then may be the self-righteous will go elsewhere. God is so simple. Love really is the simplest thing.
Rather than concentrating on criticizing those whom we consider as to be “outsiders,” Jesus teaches that the disciples need to be self-critical. Then He uses the figurative language about self-mutilation. This is all a way to show them the importance of being a people of inclusion. It is about trusting in God’s guidance as do the simple and those who are wise enough to know their own frailty so they can live wisely, truthfully, and reverently.
Fortunately for us, we count ourselves among those who are not all together at times. But nonetheless can make a difference in this Church. We can be a community of service for the common good and the wider society.
This brings me then to our second week of inviting you to sign up on our Time and Talent Stewardship Cards and offer your service to the Christian community again for another year. We don’t have to be exclusive in our reaching out to those who are in need, nor do we need to be shy of our own talents. We do invite you to think about Liturgical Ministries and the other various ministries that we outline for you again this year.
There are a number of opportunities for you to consider joining us in. Surely, the sense of discipleship that Jesus teaches us is to be a community of faith that is welcoming to others. We do that most effectively when we offer our service and our energy to the larger community. We consider our own belief and value systems to be shared by those that we reach out to assist. We ask those that have been perhaps alienated from God, to be reconnected with the Sacred in their lives this year. By our service we reveal to them a love and mercy of God to those who do not often think of God as open to them.
May the riches of God be with us as we enter another season of the year. May this Holy Eucharist, which we share, transform us and make us, realize who and what we really are, that we are children of the light, that we are children of a loving God.
Amen. Amen. Msgr. Tom, Pastor Christ the King