Gospel Reading: Mark 9: 38-43, 45, 47-48
38John said to Jesus, “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.” 39But Jesus said, “You must not stop him; no one who works a miracle in my name is likely to speak evil of me.40 Anyone who is not against us is for us.41 If anyone gives you a cup of water to drink just because you belong to Christ, then I tell you solemnly, he will most certainly not lose his reward. 42But 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. 43And if your hand should cause you to sin cut it off; it is better for you to enter into life cripples, than to have two hands and go to hell, into the fire that cannot be put out. 45And if your foot should cause you to sin cut it off; it is better for you to enter into life lame, than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. 47And if your eye should cause you to sin, tear it out; it is better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, then to have two eyes and be thrown into hell 48where their worm does not die nor their fire go out.”
HISTORICAL SITUATION 26TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME. MARK 9: 38-43, 45, 47-48
Today’s passage follows immediately on last week’s gospel where Jesus spoke fervently on humility and warmly welcomed “a little child” as an expression of humility in action.
The passage today is in two sections: V38-40 – a dialogue between John and Jesus where Jesus challenges John’s narrowmindedness and opens his mind and heart to see the work of God going on in “a man who is not one of us”; V41-48 -a series of reflections or sayings of Jesus arising from his passionate care and compassion for “the little ones” and his deep down conviction that life in “the kingdom of God” warrants letting go of anything that would stand in its way.
Where did this happen? In this gospel Jesus was still in Capernaum. Furthermore, the continuity with last week’s gospel would suggest that he was still sitting at the table with the disciples in the house of Simon Peter.
When did this happen? Jesus was conscious that time was limited, Jerusalem was not far off. Therefore he was concentrating and focussing on the formation of his committed disciples. He was determined that they would grasp the essentials of his message and continue the mission even after his death.
Who was there? “John” has been singled out as the one who asks the question. He was perturbed and confused by what he has just witnessed and his own response. Jesus – as always firm and direct in what he to say by way of challenging John and the other disciples…
What happened? John’s opening statement revealed his own petty and elitist mentality. Firmly, Jesus pointed out that participation in the “the saving work of God” was not confined to members of their own circle. The liberating work of God’s love needs to be celebrated wherever and in whomsoever it is taking place- “Anyone who is not against us is for us.” This is very similar to the dialogue between Moses and Joshua in the first Reading (Numbers 11:25-29) where Joshua complains that Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp “My Lord Moses, stop them!” Moses replies “the Lord gave his Spirit to them all.”
Next, Jesus embarked on a number of challenging statements. His overwhelming joy in seeing someone giving “a cup of water to drink” to relieve the suffering of one of “the little ones” reflects his own passionate commitment to bring healing to the marginalised and oppressed. Such was his fury and righteous indignation at the humiliation and oppression of the “little ones” that his anger boils over into a threat of damnation “Anyone who is an obstacle to bring down one of these little ones… Would be better thrown into the sea with a great millstone around his neck.”
Then using strong graphic metaphorical language Jesus insists that the experience of joy and freedom in “the kingdom of God” (not merely the afterlife), is such that it is worth sacrificing anything, no matter how attached one is to it, that stands in the way “if your hand should cause you to sin, cut it off …if your eye should cause you to sin tear it out…”. “Hell where the worm does not die nor their fire goes out.” Is a reference to Gehenna, a rubbish tip outside the city of Jerusalem where the fires were continually smouldering. Gehenna, the Greek translation of the Hebrew meaning ‘valley of the sons of Hinnon’, was originally the site of pagan temples where infant sacrifices to the God Baal were practised. Jesus uses the language of death and destruction to focus attention on what the world would be like if individuals and society do not root out whatever is contrary to the values of the Kingdom. In other words life would be “hellish” here on earth and possibly for all eternity!
GUIDELINES:
Remember the times when we were taken aback by the kindness or courage of someone outside of our social circle, different religion or race – “he was not one of us”- and it brought home to us that God’s presence and activity in the world was much bigger than our narrow minded outlook, “Anyone who is not against us is for us.”
Can we remember times when we responded to the suffering of another, “gave a cup of cold water to drink”, or volunteered in some charitable activities, and we were conscious that we had received from those we were ministering to much more than we had given? “I tell you solemnly, he will most certainly not lose his reward.”
Remember the times when our own anger flared up in the face of the humiliating treatment of marginalised or vulnerable people – by racist comments, inhumane treatment of refugees, manipulation of the vulnerable, human trafficking, unscrupulous landlords or employers, abuse of children– “He would be better thrown into the sea with a great millstone round his neck”.
Can we remember times when we just knew that we had to renounce something important in our life, something we thought you couldn’t do without, “hand”, “foot”, “eye” – material possessions, reputation, success or popularity, a relationship perhaps, addictions – in order to preserve something even more precious – our integrity, family commitments, justice, service of others? “If your hand should cause you to sin, cut it off. Better to enter into life crippled…
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