WEEKLY REFLECTION 

Today’s Gospel account report that the apostles saw a man “casting out demons in Jesus’s name” and they told the man to stop “because he does not follow with them.” What was the problem here? The apostles were being territorial. They were trying to protect their “greatness” in the kingdom! After all, Jesus had given them the power to work such miracles. 

The man they saw was not one of the twelve. He was not a part of their company and so they thought he must not be allowed to work in Jesus’ name! Never mind that the man could only do such work because Jesus allowed him to, or that Jesus had given such powers to more than just The Twelve. The fact is the Twelve had recently failed to cast out a demon. Now, they come across someone else doing what they could not do! Truly, pride and jealousy are deceptive and insidious traits! Both are seen here as we study the reaction and the words of the apostles. 

What Jesus is telling His disciples is that even though the man was not in the immediate company of Himself and the twelve, the man’s work was consistent with Jesus’ authority and purposes in establishing God’s kingdom. The man was on their side because he was on Jesus’ side. He was doing the work of God by the authority of Jesus. He should have been encouraged, not hindered. “Anyone,” He told them, “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.” 

We should be willing to endorse and encourage every person who is walking in the truth of Christ, and we must refrain from all elements of pride and jealousy in the kingdom of God. All humble service to others in the name of Christ will be rewarded. 

Reflections courtesy of Evengeli.net.