The Gospel of Mark highlights that how we see things isn’t always the way God sees them. One way of looking at John’s story of trying to stop a man from performing exorcisms is to see it as a turf issue. As John said, “…he does not follow us.”
This reminded me of an experience I had as a new priest. Our parish had a big Italian festival each summer. Apparently, several towns over, another parish had a festival on the same dates. At one meeting with the pastor, several parishioners spoke of signs for our festival in the neighboring town being taken down by the men from the other parish. And our guys wanted to return the favor.
So, there you have it: two parishes trying to do something good for the Church, battling over turf. Our pastor gave the advice that Jesus did and told them that they should arrange a meeting and a truce so both festivals, which were for the good of both parishes, could happen without any further problems.
Shared in Common
Sometimes these dynamics also set up among people who belong to different Christian denominations. Many of us have grown up in neighborhoods that had people who were Catholics, Methodists, Congregationalists, etc. Perhaps like me, you were in the majority. In my case, what helped us was that we had friends on sports teams who belonged to the Wollaston Nazarene Church whose parents also became friends with our family. It was over dinner or a cookout that we realized how much we shared in common when it came to our family life and our faith.
Since Vatican II, we Catholics have been encouraged to work with Christians of different denominations for the common good in serving God and making Christ known. The Church urges us to do this while at the same time understanding the doctrinal differences that exist.
The Catholic Church teaches that it possesses the fullness of truth, meaning that everything God wanted to be divinely revealed has been revealed to the Church. “This is rooted in the belief that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, and the Church's teachings are based on this foundation.” *
Not Against Us
However, perhaps you’ve experienced friends or family from other Christian denominations that through their works of charity and prayer have caused you to grow in your faith and friendship. Or it could be from sharing inspirational bible verses that they have helped you to grow in your appreciation of the Word of God. In each case, it is a reminder, as Jesus says, that “…whoever is not against us is for us.”
Lastly, there are times when people can surprise us with good works inspired by Jesus. At first, we might be skeptical of their motives or sincerity; yet Jesus calls us to not tell them to stop but to encourage them in their doing good in His Name.
Every one of us can learn from the Gospel of Mark whether we are constrained at times by seeing things as protecting our turf or motivated by rivalries, or being shortsighted in how God is at work in people who do not fully comport with our participation in the Catholic Church. What Jesus wants is for us to work together where we can, and at the same time to share the beauty of His Church in a world that needs every grace it can receive.
Dear God, please grant us the Wisdom to see as you see and to be your ambassadors of faith.
*(www.askacatholic.com/_WebPostings/Answers/2008_04APR/2008AprIfTheChurchHasTheFullness.cfm)
- Father David's inspirational homily was recorded live during Mass at the Father Peyton Center this morning. You can view the Mass (and the Rosary at the 30-minute mark) on the Family Rosary YouTube page.
- To join the Rosary and Mass Livestream, visit the Family Rosary YouTube or Facebook page at 11:30 a.m. Eastern, Monday – Friday. Consider inviting others to join too! (*If you are not a member of Facebook and a signup window appears, simply select the X at the top of the pop-up message and continue to the livestream.)
