In the house at Caphernaum, Jesus had begun to teach his disciples about true greatness. The lesson continues when James and John inform Jesus about what they did to a man who has been exorcising demons in the name of Jesus but is not a member of their group. Salvation history remembers another instance when men who were not part of an exclusive group associated with Moses also received the spirit of prophecy (Numbers 11:25-29). Jesus reminded his impetuous disciples that anyone who was not against them is for them.
The theme of the Gospel is not really about ecumenism (because two groups associated to Jesus are not the object of discussion) but about the attitude that the disciples should show to anyone who is set against the kingdom of Satan. In this battle, any kindness shown to a disciple will be rewarded. But the disciples are to take care not to make anyone put himself under the kingdom of Satan. For this personal asceticism is required.
Relevant Links
Guide for the Reading of the Text
1. The liturgical selection jumps over certain verses. But we should still read the text of Mark 9:38-49 and try to understand later why only a selection is presented for the liturgy. Make sure that you create a sentence flow of the text and then divide the text using criteria that are based on your sentence flow.
2. The lectionary reading begins with the phrase “At that time …”. Mark 9:38 however begins with “And they responded to him (= Jesus)”. This makes the present section a continuation of the lessons given by Jesus in the house (see v. 32). Does the topic beginning in v. 38 continue the one about true greatness in v. 34ff?
3. After creating your sentence flow, divide the text into smaller parts, then see whether each part is connected to the preceding and to the following part. Links can be provided by: (a) syntax, (b) a repeated word or phrase, (c) a theme (which can be implicit)
4. Pay close attention to the following
(a) Is there a connection between v. 39 and 40?
(b) The pattern: If your [organ of the body] causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away, better for you to enter into life [maimed; without that organ] than enter whole into Gehenna in vv. 42-47
(c) Is there a continuity in meaning between vv. 48-49? Or is the word “salt” the only thing that connects both verses?
5. Additional Information
- Gehenna
- Salt
- Burnt Offerings
Comparing the Readings
The first reading from Numbers 11:25-29 tells how Moses, following Jethro’s advice, chose seventy elders and to administer to the people. This institution would evolve into the judicial system of Israel in the time of the Judges and Kings (see for example the Book of Ruth). The Lord took some of Moses’ spirit and poured it onto the judges, thereby showing that the work of the elders extend that of Moses. Two men were absent from the group, Eldad and Medad, but they too received the Spirit poured on the seventy elders. These two men began to prophesy outside the camp. When Moses was told about this and asked that he stop them, he refused.
There is a connection between this story from Numbers and the Gospel reading. Jesus is informed that a man who did not belong to the group of the Twelve was performing miracles in His name and so James and John stopped him. Jesus told them not to stop the man. “Whoever is not against you” he says, “is for you.” This is then followed by teachings on not scandalizing the “little ones” and what should be done to attitudes that lead to sin. In this section of Jesus’ teaching, is found a theme that links to the second reading.
In James 5:1-6, the author addresses the wickedly rich in a diatribe, warning them of the judgment that will come. This speech prepares for an exhortation to patient endurance addressed directly to the author’s community. James 5:1-6 was meant for the audience to “overhear” so that they too may not be like the wealthy who are addressed and not fall into the enticements of the false security provided by riches.
Suggestions for the Lesson
In preparing for this Sunday’s lesson, the following ideas should be considered:
1. Being “near” to Jesus should not become an occassion for exercising dominance over another. Rather, one’s closeness to Jesus should make one more tolerant to those who honor Jesus’ name. After all it, it is not the group of Jesus that counts, but Jesus alone whose name is to be honored. It should be made clear, however, that the man whom James and John mentions was exorcising demons, NOT proselytizing or creating a group of their own based on their own faith in Jesus. In other words, Jesus recognized the man as one who stood against the reign of Satan and was fighting it in His name and so he tells the sons of Thunder to be more tolerant towards him and others like him. Thus the passage is not directly about the relationship of Catholics with other Christians (mainline Protestants or fundamentalists), but of Jesus’ disciples to their unknown allies.
2. The fight against the reign of evil cannot do without a personal fight against the tendencies one finds in oneself towards sin. The reign of God is not only about not causing others to sin, but of “cutting off” personal proclivities to sin. Thus “asceticism” is always an integral element of any Christian spirituality.
3. Salt is added not only for taste; in offerings it is a symbol of consecration. The baptismal ritual and other rites for consecration (like the blessing of water during Easter) include a gesture whereby salt is sprinkled on the object being consecrated. When Jesus says something about salt and saltiness in relation to his disciples, it should remind us of our own baptism and the way we are to live in this world.
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