Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B September 30, 2018

First Reading
Numbers 11:25-29
The Lord bestows his spirit on the seventy elders.

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 19:8,10,12-13,14
The Law of the Lord brings joy.

Second Reading
James 5:1-6
James chastises the rich.

Gospel Reading
Mark 9:38-43,45,47-48
Jesus teaches that whoever is not against him is for him.

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.'"


Background on the Gospel Reading
Today we continue to read from the Gospel of Mark. Recall that last week
we heard Jesus chastise his disciples for their argument about who among
them was the greatest. Jesus taught them that the greatest among them will
be those who serve the least ones. In today's Gospel, the disciple John
questions Jesus about an unknown exorcist who was driving out demons in
Jesus' name. John's question might have been motivated by jealousy.
Previously in Mark's Gospel, Jesus healed a boy whom the disciples had
been unable to heal. John's question is further evidence that the
disciples have not yet grasped Jesus' words to them. They continue to
compare themselves to others who seem to have greater healing powers, and
they do not want to share the power of Jesus' name with others.

Today the demon possession described in the Gospels might be seen as a
form of mental illness, but the need for healing these syndromes was as
real then as it is now. Exorcism was a common practice in first-century
Palestine. Some people had the power to heal the symptoms of possession.
One of the strategies used was to invoke the name of a person or figure
who was believed to have the power to heal. The disciples observed that
the unknown exorcist invoked Jesus' name and was successful in his healing
efforts. This unknown healer recognized the power of Jesus' name, yet he
was not a follower of Jesus. In his reply to his disciples, Jesus
acknowledges that deeds of faith can precede the words of faith. He also
teaches that the disciples should not be reluctant to share Jesus' healing
powers with others.

Later in this Gospel, Jesus teaches us not to create obstacles for those
who are just beginning to have faith but to encourage even the smallest
signs of faith. The Greek word used here for sin also connotes "stumbling"
or "causing scandal." In vivid terms Jesus teaches his disciples the
consequences to those who would put obstacles before people who are on the
road to faith.


Family Connection

The second part of today's Gospel contains a strong message for those who
share the responsibility of fostering faith. It is indeed an awesome
responsibility. Today's Gospel reminds us that faith is a lifelong journey
toward God. We don't always get it all or even get it right. But we pray
for the grace to acknowledge and build upon even the smallest signs of
faith, in ourselves and in others. There are plenty of obstacles that
might prevent the growth of faith. Let us pray that we are not
contributing to the obstacles that might hinder another person's faith in
Jesus.

As you gather as a family, observe that there are things in our lives that
nurture our faith and things that can hinder it. Talk about some of the
things that nurture our faith—healthy family relationships, healthy
friendships, good literature, and so on. Name some of the things that
might be an obstacle to faith—unhealthy relationships, scandals, and so
on. Observe that Jesus teaches us in today's Gospel that we are to do
everything we can to help one another have faith in Jesus and do all that
we can to avoid creating obstacles that might hinder another person's
faith. Read together today's Gospel, Mark 9:38-43,45,47-48. Conclude by
praying together that we will be a family that helps each other grow in
faith. Pray together today's psalm, Psalm 19, or the Lord's Prayer.


Sources: Loyola Press; Sunday Readings