Good People and Great Missions!

Wednesday, February 26, 2025

Sir 4:11-19; Mk 9: 38-40

Today’s Gospel highlights that true greatness manifests itself in inclusivity. 

When John reported to Jesus, he might have expected Jesus to respond in a similar manner by which he was trying to prevent the man who was casting out demons in Jesus’ name. 

But Jesus is not perturbed because of two reasons. 

1.The man was doing something good. Jesus may have even felt happy and proud that there was a man who could drive out demons, when in fact, his own disciples couldn’t (Mk 9:14-29). 

2. The nameless man was driving out demons in ‘Jesus’ name.’ For Jesus, he was not hostile because he proved his loyalty to Jesus by taking his name. Jesus did not find any reason to prevent him from doing his ministry because it was a work of goodness and healing. 

Again, in defying John, Jesus makes two things clear. 

1.Those who do good deserve compliments, not censure.

2. Anyone who does something good in Jesus’ name is a partaker of his mission. 

The greatness of Jesus lies in accepting and including even the faceless and the nameless because they carry out the work of the Kingdom. 

In Jesus’ view, good people and great missions should never be stopped because he is aware that if ego comes into play, it will only endanger God’s mission. 

Let us pray that we may grow more inclusive and open as missionaries of God. 

Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar