26^th Sunday Ordinary Time Year B

Reflection

Our Sunday Gospel still shares the same idea or theme of the last Sunday Gospel that is the radical character of discipleship and consistent with last Sunday’s mandate that each of Jesus’ followers become “last of all and servant of all”. However, the Evangelist Mark raised an interesting question who are the followers of Jesus? Who are the disciples of Jesus? One of the disciples gave report to Jesus, "Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us."

The response of Jesus to the disciples "Do not prevent him’, encourages a broad-minded attitude toward those who provide relief but operate outside the disciples’ circle: “Whoever is not against us is for us”. Christ defends the outsider and rebukes the tribalism of his apostles.  The outsider has not joined the disciples, and he doesn’t know the doctrines or customs that the disciples are learning from Christ. But, in Christ’s view, he is still one of Christ’s own. 

Here Jesus commends in strongest terms the reward due anyone who quashes diabolical forces in his name—whether or not they are “following us”—or another who offers a simple cup of water to disciples “because you are Christ’s by name”.  The discipleship is not referring only to the circle of those who come and follow Jesus but gracious reception of anyone whose action, bold or modest, genuinely conforms to Jesus’ character. But this requirement makes Christ the one necessary and sufficient condition for salvation. It doesn’t say anything about any of the other ways by which members of a group usually identify themselves.

As Christ sees that outsider, the man meets the one requisite condition for salvation: he is for Christ. And so, in Christ’s view, that outsider counts as one of those who come to the Father by Christ, even if he is not an official member of Christ’s disciples. But then, you might say, who doesn’t count as one of Christ’s own? Who actually is against Christ?

In effect, Christ answers these questions by giving an example of a group destined for perdition. It is the group of those who draw children away from the Lord or who make the vulnerable and helpless worse than they otherwise would be. Those in that group would be better off being dropped into the sea with millstones around their necks, Christ says. The contrast between nurturance of Christian believers and infliction of injuries that cause them to lose their faithful footing.

So here is what we need to remember. Even Judas was a member of the official tribe of Christ’s disciples; but in the end Judas was not one of Christ’s own. Real membership in the group of those who are Christ’s own depends on being for Christ, and for those he loves.

The last part of the gospel, we hear some harsh advice not to let ourselves stumble. So, responsibility is not only for the condition of others, but also for oneself. It makes sense. People who can take care of themselves can certainly help others. The way it is conveyed is very concrete. If the arm causes oneself to fall into actions that are detrimental to oneself, it is better to cut it off, as well as the legs, as well as the eyes. It is said that it is better to live with one arm, walk with a limp, or be blind in one eye than to fall into hell. How do we understand this harsh advice? Obviously not literally. Once again, what is important is to see the basic idea put forward here. The disciples are asked to realize that life and the Kingdom of God should be the basic and fundamental choice.

Have a blessed Sunday