1st Reading: Sir 4:11-19
Gospel: Mk 9:38-40

John said to Jesus, “Master, we saw someone who drove out demons by calling upon your name, and we tried to forbid him because he does not belong to our group.” Jesus answered, “Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in my name can soon after speak evil of me. For whoever is not against us is for us.

Gospel Commentary

Jesus warns us against a subtle temptation on the part of those evangelizing; to think and act as if they had the monopoly of all the good that is around them. We are well aware that Jesus acts freely in the whole human reality and also through people who are not Christians. The evangelizer must rejoice about all the good that is done around, even outside the Church, without lessening his effort, so that the good that is being done may be done in Christ’s name.

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