26th Sunday - "Who's in and who's out?"

"For whoever is not against us is for us" 

Mark 9: 38-43, 45, 47-48

The Word for Sunday: http://usccb.org/bible/readings/093018.cfm

Back in 1988/89 I was attending a year long program through Loyola University in Baltimore, Maryland to seek a Masters in Pastoral Counseling.  It was a very full and challenging year but I loved all of it.  In particular one of the most challenging things, at first, was the parish I was living in while just filling in a few Masses on the weekends in lieu of room and board.  The name was “All Saints” parish and it was located in a section of Baltimore that was largely a mixed but safe neighborhood.  But, once I arrived in Baltimore I quickly found out the parish itself was about 90% African American Catholics.  The Pastor was Caucasian a native to Baltimore but the staff was mixed race. 

Well, I had no special problem with that and enjoyed the diversity I had with them, although it was limited due to my schedule.  But the first Sunday Mass I celebrated was done before an almost entirely black congregation.  Here I was, the “white- boy” from Oregon deeply wondering what I might be able to say to folks I knew came from a very different cultural experience.  Although I grew up in Chicago with a large black population my own personal world just never went there. 

Well, I had to swallow my own insecurities and maybe subtle prejudice and venture forth.  They were wonderful folks. Very accepting and supportive and once I heard an “Amen Father” from the congregation during a homily, I knew I was in.  It was a very important cultural and human lesson for me and I am forever grateful. I was accepted without question and was able then to learn from my new friends about their cultural experience.

The ever present question about “who's in and who's out” begs an answer in this weekend's readings.  The Book of Numbers find Joshua angered by the fact that Eldad and Medad have received a portion of the Spirit bestowed on Moses and shared by God with many others.  They had left the camp yet: ". . . the Spirit came to rest on them also and they prophesied in the camp." (Nm 11: 27).  "How dare they!" cried Joshua to Moses, “stop them,” Joshua implies.

Moses inclusive perspective does not see a limit to God's intent. As Jesus in the Gospel who reminds his own Apostles: "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." (Mk 9: 43).  Who's in and who's out seems to have its own roots long ago.  To exclude or to include in our lives as Christians seems to have only one answer; that of Jesus who reached out to invite and include all to salvation.  Christ is the invitation of God to see our lives differently; free of boundaries in regards to God's love and mercy - and to live in the world with that face. 

Still, the ever present temptation to divide ourselves into warring camps or tribes is sadly becoming common these days.  We see it in politics and we find it even in the Church. People even leave the Church because of political positions placing the god of politics and ideology above the God of life and covenant. We live in an often schizophrenic world.

There are signs of great hope, however.  One of the most fundamental principles of Catholic social teaching, for example, is our effort to seek the common good. This means that I need to be open to others, to compromise, to recognize that a greater good is at stake other than my own narrow opinion or position. What is best for the common good of a family, a parish, a Church, a nation?  This higher moral principle should always challenge us when we find ourselves digging in to our particular viewpoints or opinions. 

In Mark, Jesus basically tells John, when John confronted Jesus about others not of Jesus’ inner circle, who seemed to be taking away their show in exorcising demons in Jesus’ name.  “Stop them,” John tells Jesus, “he does not follow us.” Our Lord’s answer is telling: “Do not prevent him.”  They are doing the same good we are. They’re not competing with us, they’re sharing in the same work of good that we are.  They are contributing to the common good beyond our own circle and that’s a good thing for everyone.  This isn’t some exclusive club.   They’re not against us but rather they are for us so what’s the problem, John?”

Such moments of a reality check bring us to see where we may be falling short in our own lives.  The second part of the Gospel contains some harsh language about a “millstone were put around his neck. . .” About the “fires of Gehenna” and about cutting off your hand and plucking out your eye if they cause you to sin. I’m not sure what we are doing with our hands and eyes but I gulp hard at the prospect. What might this have to do with the earlier part of the Gospel lesson about being more tolerant and inclusive?

It could be, in good strong rabbinical style, that Jesus is reminding us of where we may need to do a bit of cutting back.  We may think we have all the answers or all the privileges or all the expertise necessary but in the end it’s really more about holding on tightly to my own small world.  This goes beyond the Church to a place of business or even on the sports field or certainly in my own sense of self-importance.

The hands and eyes that need to be cut off may be our own pride or prejudice. I think I “see” all that is needed and refuse to see other options. I think I can handle this myself and have no need of other helping hands which means I have to let go of my own sense of control.  Might be a good examination of conscience here.  To seek the common good of all is upmost in our decisions. What is best for the entire community and not just for a few?

Jesus implies clearly in the Gospel that everyone who does good for others reflects his own work.  We can do this through organizations and parishes and we can do good through gathering likeminded people for a higher moral purpose, such as the dignity of other persons. Later in Matthew’s Gospel chapter 25 we hear Jesus speak of feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, clothing the naked, etc.  The corporal works of mercy as we formally call them are not just a Catholic principle by any means.  

To respect the human person, especially the most vulnerable, innocent and defenseless is a good that should know no division.  The other day I attended an annual luncheon with 700 other likeminded people who in a variety of ways contribute through our local Catholic Charities to the needy and suffering.  It was an impressive and refreshing gathering of people from all walks of faith who were blind to those differences and could see very clearly the need before them.  What a beautiful example of Jesus own words embodied from the Gospel today.  That’s what all this means.

Moses questions Joshua to put aside his jealousy and shares with him: “Would that all the people of the LORD were prophets!” Would it not be great if everyone would come together for a common good and purpose – that of doing good in the Lord’s name. 

Our Eucharist reminds us that we are all invited to seek good over evil, unity over division, humility over pride, love over hate, and forgiveness over revenge.  God’s same spirit is available to all and to all those we include and welcome with us. 

Let’s “meet one another doing good,” as our Pope Francis once reminded us. 

O God, who manifest your almighty power

above all by pardoning and showing mercy, 

bestow your grace abundantly upon us

and make those hastening to attain your promises

heirs to the treasures of heaven.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, 

who lives and reigns with you

in the unity of the Holy Spirit, 

one God, for ever and ever.

(Collect of Mass)