'John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us.” Jesus replied, “Do not prevent him. 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. Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ, amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward. Temptations to Sin (Mk. 9:38-41).'
The disciples were upset because someone that was not in Jesus’ inner circle was performing exorcisms and they tried to stop him. Jesus told them that no one who performed exorcisms in his name could at the same time speak ill of him so do not try to stop him. It is through the Holy Spirit that such deeds are performed. Things that are done out of love in the name of Jesus will receive God’s blessing. Jesus was teaching about the way the Church should function. The disciples need to be open minded and expect the church to grow beyond the current small group of followers of Jesus.
Almighty God, help us to accept your works at the hands of others through the Holy Spirit and to understand that your judgment of someone’s heart is different from ours. Grant us the grace to deeply believe in the teaching of your Son and to trust that your plan of salvation will work for all who believe in Jesus and confess his name. This we pray through Christ out Lord. Amen!
References:
Raymond E. Brown, Joseph A. Fitzmyer, & Roland E. Murphy, (Eds.). (1990, 1968). The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentis Hall, Inc.
Jose M. Casciaro, Santiago Ausin, Gonzalo Aranda, Claudio Basevi, Vincente Balaguer, Francisco Varo, James Gavigan, Brian McCarthy & Thomas McGovern (Eds.). (2017). The Navarre Bible - New Testament. Dublin 8, Ireland: Four Courts Press.
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