We can define ourselves in a large number of ways and images. We can say, “Well, at least we’re not those over there.” “I’m glad I do this, or don’t do that.” We are not sure exactly who we are, but define ourselves by who or what we are not.
In today’s Gospel from Mark, John has apparently been knowing who he is by what he and the other followers of Jesus have been doing, that is driving out demons in the name of Jesus. Ah, but then there are “those” and they don’t have the proper credential, which is their close relationship with Jesus.
John seems to be dealing with a narrow and restrictive of what God can do and through whom. He reveals such a wonderfully human trait. We are what we do in an unique fashion. If someone else can do, that which we thought was unique, well then we’re rather common and so un-identified.
Early railroads had their specific gauge of track and “those” other companies would not be able to run their cars on “our” tracks. Exclusion of others and from others is a rather cruel manner of having a sense of belonging. Who am I if I separate myself! We become by belonging, by being in union. That union with others does assist in my finding out who I was, am and will become.
John is working with a narrow-guaged God and a narrow sense of Jesus as Savior of the world. Jesus, in this text, broadens John and the other Apostles in their sense of whom Jesus has called them to be. The God of all can bless through all. It is our selfish fear of our not being enough and we tend to imagine that God has only one track to move Grace along through the world.
“All God’s creatures got a place in the choir”, as the song goes. The One-Track-God gets off track and delivers healings of all kinds through all kinds of kinds. Comparing, contrasting, separting, excluding never was the way of Jesus and invites each of us to be.” Through Him, with Him , and in Him” as we do our Daily-Bread deliveries. Ah, the highth and width and depth of the Ever-enlarging God.
Rev. Larry Gillick, SJ
I entered the Society of Jesus in 1960, after graduating from Marquette University High School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and attending St. Norbert College for two years. I was ordained in 1972 after completing theological studies at the Toronto School of Theology, Regis College. I presently minister in the Deglman Center for Ignatian Spirituality at Creighton and give retreats.
I enjoy sharing thoughts on the Daily Reflections. It is a chance to share with a wide variety of people in the Christian community experiences of prayer and life which have been given to me. It is a bit like being in more places than just here. We actually get out there without having to pay airlines to do it. The word of God is alive and well.
