The Gospel of the day tackles themes of rivalry and jealousy, offering a profound lesson on openness and the recognition that no one has a monopoly on goodness.
In the first reading, Joshua becomes envious of the prophetic gifts given to Eldad and Medad, two elders who didn’t even attend the Tent of Meeting. When Joshua alerts Moses, expecting him to be equally concerned, Moses responds with great wisdom:
“Are you jealous for my sake? If only all the people of the Lord were prophets! If only the Lord would bestow his spirit on them!”
Numbers 11:29
Moses rejects the notion of owning the gift of prophecy. He joyfully acknowledges that others can share in the Spirit of God. A portion of his own spirit had been distributed among seventy elders, and Moses welcomes the good he sees in others, rather than feeling threatened by it.
A similar situation unfolds in today’s Gospel. This episode follows the lesson from last Sunday, where Jesus taught the importance of humility and service:
“Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the one who sent me.” (Mark 9:37)
However, just after this, the disciples express frustration when someone outside their group is casting out demons, performing healing miracles in Jesus’ name.
To understand their frustration, especially John’s, we need to remember that earlier, Jesus had sent the disciples out on a mission to cast out demons. They returned proudly, but shortly after, a man brought his possessed son to Jesus, telling Him that the disciples had been unable to heal him.
The success of others, particularly in areas where we’ve failed, can be hard to accept. This jealousy is what drives John’s complaints to Jesus.
Jesus responds to John’s jealous outburst with a message similar to that of Moses. He emphasizes the importance of openness and cooperation:
“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.”
Mark 9:39-40
Jesus teaches His Apostles that goodness is not restricted to them. They learned that day that we do not have a monopoly on goodness! Just as God’s forgiveness extends beyond the sacrament of reconciliation, God’s wonders and miracles can occur outside the official group of the Twelve.
In both the Gospel of the day and the first reading, the message is clear: there is no monopoly on truth, goodness, or miracles.
Jesus’ liberating teaching is also for us today, encouraging openness, acceptance, and the recognition of God’s work in unexpected places and people. He calls us to rejoice in the good works of others, rather than feeling threatened by them.
Numbers 11:25-29 / James 5:1-6 / Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48
From the Gospel according to Mark
At that time, 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.”
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.
“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin,
it would be better for him if a great millstone
were put around his neck
and he were thrown into the sea.
If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off.
It is better for you to enter into life maimed
than with two hands to go into Gehenna,
into the unquenchable fire.
And if your foot causes you to sin, cut if off.
It is better for you to enter into life crippled
than with two feet to be thrown into Gehenna.
And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out.
Better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye
than with two eyes to be thrown into Gehenna,
where ‘their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.'”
For today’s readings, please refer to Vatican News.
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