26th Sunday Ordinary Time Cycle B
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.’
Mk 9:38-43, 45, 47-48
Pope Francis in his last visit to Singapore told the youth “All religion are a path to reach God. There is only one God and our religions and languages are paths to reach Him ”. He said this because he is a pastor – a shepherd who looks after the lost sheep.
Thus, he also once advised us before to invite the sinners to church and not prevent them from entering like the unwed couples, or single mothers and the rest. Although the ultraconservatives may brand this heretical, this reminds us of Jesus who welcomed sinners and ate with them.
Are you a shepherd or do you prevent the lost sheep from returning to the fold?
Jesus in today’s gospel allowed the non-apostles to drive out demons in His name. Mk 9:38-43, 45, 47-48 Moses in the first reading allowed two men outside the group of Joshua to prophesy. In truth he even wished “would that all prophesy”. Nm 11:25-29
God is inclusive not exclusive as some make the church to be.
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