How do we understand who is with us and who is against us? At certain moments, Christians feel that they are walking alone, along the straight path traced out by Christ, and they are seized by discouragement. Still, as soon as they look up and look around, they see, unexpectedly, many generous, sincere, well-disposed companions walking alongside them; they are amazed and wonder why they had not noticed them before. He did not see them because they were hidden by the thick veil spread over his eyes by the presumption of being the only true disciple. Envy and jealousy prevented him from recognising the good done by those who were different from him.
The disciples of Jesus are confronted by a huge confusion: How can someone who does not follow us, who does not belong to our group, perform the same wonders or even greater ones that were copyrighted to us? If someone successfully occupies the field where we are called to carry out our mission, is there cause for rejoicing or concern? Who is authorised to use the name of Jesus? To whom has he bequeathed his Spirit, the power that heals every disease?
One day, John runs to the Master and tells him: We have discovered that there is a dangerous rival of ours around; he cures people using your name, and we have warned him because he is not one of us, he does not follow us, he does not have our permission. Notice the reason given: “he does not follow us.” It is not said that he does not follow Jesus, but that he does not follow them, the disciples! They had a deep-rooted conviction that they were the only and undisputed repositories of good.
In our communities, many serve their brothers and sisters, carrying out their tasks with diligence and generosity; however, jealousy and envy often appear here and there. They are an unmistakable sign that the job they have taken on has ceased to be a service and has become a means of affirming themselves.
Today’s Gospel also contains a series of sayings of the Lord. He uses various images — both natural and super natural images to tell his audience about the merciful nature of God. These images were often used to admonish, to shake the consciences of those who neglected their duties towards God and their neighbour. Those who use them to draw conclusions about the punishments of hell would misinterpret their meaning. Whoever wastes his or her existence in this world loses, forever, the unique opportunity that God has offered him or her; he ruins himself or herself eternally because no one will be able to give him back the time he has wasted. But this timely insistence on the seriousness of this life should not be misunderstood; it is not an announcement of eternal damnation of the reprobate.
Father Fernando Torres CMF
www.ciudadredonda.org
Translated by
Father Alberto Rossa CMF
