Jesus’ Advice and Warning
Twenty Sixth Sunday - Year B
Numbers 11:25-29; James 5:1-6; Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48
Mark’s Gospel contains two parts. The first part (Mark 8:38-41) speaks about what should be permitted and the second part (Mark 8:42-48) about the thing that can never be tolerated. The first part finds its parallel in the first reading (Num. 11:25-29), the second part exhibits connection to the second reading (James 5:1-6).
Joshua in the first reading demands that the charism of prophecy be limited to a specific place - "around the tent" (Num. 11:24.26), and the disciples in the Gospel tried to limit the charism of casting out demons to a specific group of people - themselves (Mark 9:38). However, God's Spirit, like the wind, "blows where he will" (John 3:8) and cannot be controlled. The same goes for the name of Jesus. Nobody can claim to have control over the liberating power of Jesus’ name.
The one who speaks for the disciples is John whose nickname is “Boanerges” (Mark 3:17). The name seems to denote fiery and destructive zeal like a thunderstorm, thus he and his brother James were known as “the sons of thunder”. Both wanted to call down fire from heaven upon a Samaritan village that did not welcome Jesus (Luke 9:52-54). It is also worth notice that a few verses earlier Mark tells us about the nine disciples who tried to cast out “deaf and mute spirit” and failed (Mark 9:18). Their failure was attributed to their “little faith” (Matt. 17:20). Was the success of that unknown exorcist causing them to feel upset and jealous?
Moses and Jesus show different attitudes. Moses, the humblest man “on the face of the earth” (Num. 12:3), wishes that “all people of the Lord were prophets!” and “that the Lord might bestow his spirit on them all!” (Num. 11:29). His wish was granted on the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit descended upon the Church (Acts 2:1-11). On the other hand, Jesus tells His disciples to appreciate the fact that someone else does “a mighty deed” in His name.
Giving a cup of water in the arid land of Palestine with a chronic shortage of water is not a small act of generosity (Mark 9:41). Moreover, giving it to someone who “bears Christ’s name” by someone who is not a Christian breaks the sectarian attitude displayed by the disciples (Mark 9:38). In the Gospel of John, Jesus himself tired from the journey asks a Samaritan woman for a cup of water (John 4:6-7). We see how the sectarian attitude - “the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans” (John 4:9) - is overcome. The reward that the woman received was the gift of salvation. She believed in Jesus and brought others to faith in Him (John 4:29.42).
The word “to offend” that four times appears in today’s Gospel (Mark 9:42-43) means to put a stumbling block in the way of someone. Apostle James gives us an example of an offense: “the wages” withheld from the workers” (James 5:4). Such an injustice can cause the little ones to sin. How? In Psalm 73, the prosperity of the wicked (Ps. 73:2), who are “always free of care (and) go on amassing wealth” (Ps. 73:10.12) nearly caused the psalmist to stumble (Ps. 73:2): “in vain I have kept my heart pure” (Ps. 73:13). Both Jesus and James warn the wicked of the inevitable consequences of their actions. The fire in the valley of Hinnom (Gehenna), kept burning perpetually to consume the rubbish heap, is a symbol of punishment (Mark 9:47-48).
“The law of the Lord is perfect” (Ps. 19:8). It teaches wisdom, the fear of the Lord, and truth. Thus, the law of the Lord is our first defense against becoming an obstacle to others. However, we also have a tendency to deceive ourselves pretending to be better than we are. Thus, we need to pray with the psalmist: “Cleanse me from unknown faults and restrain me from wanton sins” (Ps. 19:13-14). Only by God’s grace, one can “be blameless and clear of grave offense” (Ps. 19:14).