Coffee With God

Reflection: Mk 9:38-41

Today’s gospel speaks about an unknown exorcist and Mark discusses the issues of diversity and inclusiveness in the early church. Exorcisms were a well-documented phenomenon in early Church. Mark’s episode of the unknown exorcist reflects such a historical situation. Through the episode, Mark explains that God’s kingdom expands not merely through certain well-known authoritative figures, but also through anonymous, minor figures such as today’s unknown exorcist. The evangelist explains the message of plurality and inclusive nature of God’s kingdom to his community in Rome. By reporting the intolerance of John towards the unknown person who was driving out demons by invoking the name of Jesus, Mark tells his community that the exorcist was an authentic member of God’s kingdom and his exorcism was a mystical way of the growth of the kingdom that Jesus came to establish. For the disciples, this unknown person was an unwelcome intruder. Perhaps the early community in Rome was facing similar trouble and they attempted to define the boundary of the kingdom limited to those who belonged to their group. The disciples were fixed on one idea: They alone could do good, because they belonged to the company of Jesus – the teacher. The teacher had commissioned them to do the exorcisms and they had done it successfully in the past. But now there is someone who does not belong to their group, but doing the same trade. The disciples respond like some of the trade unions of the modern day! If you want to practice a trade, you must be part of their union! But Jesus did not come to establish a trade union! Church is not a trade union! Jesus corrected the wrong attitude of his disciples. They were intolerant, but Jesus broadened their horizons to understand that God’s love is for everyone, not only for the 12 disciples”. Jesus wants to educate his disciples — and us today – It is good for us to reflect on this episode and to perform a small examination of conscience. The disciples’ attitude to reject an unwelcome outsider is very human, very common, and we can observe this in Christian communities throughout history, probably in ourselves as well. How well do we accommodate and appreciate our brothers and sisters from other Christian denominations or even other religions? Pope Francis reminds us that “God saves everyone… even the atheists too! Because, all of us are children of God”. Through the gospel today, Jesus invites us not to hinder those who do good, because they are all contributing to the fulfilment of God’s plan.