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.”
against us is for us.”
(Mark 9:39-40)
The work of God is not limited or confined to a specific group or community. It can be carried out by anyone who believes in Jesus and acts in His name. Those who are working towards the same goal are allies, not competitors. We should be accepting and inclusive in our interactions with others regardless of their background or affiliation and promote unity and cooperation. Let us not to judge others based on our limited understanding.
In the vast expanse of His divine plan,
God's work is not bound by the scope of man.
Not confined to a group, community, or clan,
It's carried out by anyone who believes they can.
Believers in Jesus, in His name they act,
Their faith in Him, a proven fact.
Working towards a goal, a sacred pact,
Allies in His love, in unity intact.
Not competitors in a worldly race,
But companions in seeking His grace.
Accepting all, regardless of their base,
Promoting unity, cooperation we embrace.
In our interactions, let's include,
Not judge others, nor be rude.
For our understanding may be skewed,
In His love, we are all pursued.
Dear Lord Jesus,
We acknowledge that Your work is not confined, not limited to a group, or a specific kind. It can be carried out by anyone aligned, who believes in You, and in Your name, they find. Those working towards the same goal, we see, are allies in faith, not competitors to be.
Help us to accept, to include, to free, regardless of background or community. Promote in us unity, cooperation, and love, as we strive to reflect Your grace from above. Let us not judge others, for we know of our understanding is limited, but not Your love.
In Your name, we pray. Amen.
Pericope:
IV: The Full Revelation of the Mystery
ANOTHER EXORCIST
Mark 9:38-41
Gospel | Mark 9:38-40
Gospel Acclamation
I am the way and the truth and the life, says the Lord; no one comes to the Father except through me.
38 John said to Jesus, “Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us.” 39 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. 40 For whoever is not against us is for us.”
Background:
Mark 9:38-40 is a passage in the New Testament of the Bible, where Jesus teaches about inclusivity and acceptance. Here’s a brief background:
This passage is part of the Gospel of Mark, which is one of the four canonical gospels in the New Testament. In this specific passage, John, one of Jesus’ disciples, tells Jesus that they saw someone who was not one of their group casting out demons in Jesus’ name. John and the other disciples tried to stop him because he was not following them.
Jesus responds by telling his disciples not to stop the man. He explains that no one who does a deed of power in His name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of Him. He further adds, "Whoever is not against us is for us". This indicates that Jesus’ battle against evil takes all the resources possible.
This incident reveals Jesus’ open and inclusive attitude. It teaches that the work of God is not limited to a specific group or community. It’s a powerful message about acceptance and the broad reach of God’s work.
Learning Lessons:
Mark 9:38-40 offers several important life lessons:
Inclusivity: Jesus’ response to His disciples shows His inclusive nature. He teaches us that the work of God is not limited to a specific group or community. This encourages us to be accepting and inclusive in our interactions with others.
Acceptance: Jesus accepts the man who is casting out demons in His name, even though he is not one of His followers. This teaches us the importance of accepting others, regardless of their background or affiliation.
Unity: Jesus’ statement, “Whoever is not against us is for us,” promotes unity and cooperation. It reminds us that those who are working towards the same goal are allies, not competitors.
Broad Reach of God’s Work: The passage illustrates that God’s work is not confined to a particular group. It can be carried out by anyone who believes in Him and acts in His name.
Non-judgment: Jesus discourages His disciples from judging the man casting out demons. This teaches us not to judge others based on our limited understanding.
These lessons from Mark 9:38-40 can guide us in our interactions with others and help us live more accepting and inclusive lives. They remind us of the broad reach of God’s work and the importance of unity and non-judgment. (Copilot)
