Sunday Gospel Comment
Sunday Gospel Comment
Alberic Jacovone OSB
YEAR B
TWENTY-SIXTH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR - 28.9.03
Nos 11,25-29; Jas 5,1-6; Mk 9,38-43.45.47-48
Jesus' Hardest & Strongest Language in Mark
Scandals & divisions in the early church
In his letters St Paul regrets that the Jewish-Christians were stopping him,
because he was not of their group (Gal 2,4; Acts 15,24); and that in Corinth,
there were divisions and factions among his converts (1 Cor 11,17+). Today's
Gospel suggests that even in Markıs community there were people and groups who
claimed they could condemn and exclude others. Sadly, even in our day, we
witness the scandal of divisions in our Churches, among people who claim to
follow Jesus. In todayıs story, Mark warns against the dangers of power &
prestige in the Church, and insists on the need to keep heart and mind clear of
any ambition. Here, we find Jesus' hardest sayings, harshest language and
strongest feelings.
Stop no one from ministering in Jesus' name
Mark clearly condemns anyone or any group or institution who arrogantly
claims power in the Church. He begins by telling a story: One day, John (who
with Peter and James formed the elite circle of the Apostles) pressed Jesus with
many words, claiming that only they as disciples, should have the power to
minister 'in Jesus' Name'; everyone else should be stopped. To such an arrogant
claim Jesus simply ordered: stop no one from ministering in my name. This story
is very similar to the one we read in today's First Reading from Book of Numbers
11, 24-30 where Joshua tells Moses to stop Godıs Spirit from coming on
unauthorized people. And Moses replies: 'are you jealous? 'ould that the Lord
put His spirit on all his peopleı. And Mark goes even further: first he
positively expands Jesus' teaching, saying that any small courtesy (even a cup
of water) given or received in Christ's name deserves God's loving reward. Then
he brings Jesus' condemnation on those who scandalize Little Ones.
Mark's standing on scandals in the Church
Notice his Semitic, forceful, exaggerated style as he puts together Jesus'
sayings. Follow the Lord who said: Like me, chose to be 'last & servant of
all' (v.35); when you welcome any little ones (Greek=Mikron) in my name, you
welcome me (v.37). Do not be a stumbling stone (Greek=Scandal) to any of these
micro-tiny people. For such offenders, the punishment that fits the crime is
that a huge millstone should be hung around their neck and thrown into the sea
(v.42). Tear out of your very heart whatever causes a 'Little One' to stumble:
and cut off (or be ready to surrender) any of your powers -hand, foot or eye- if
they ever become destructive. The forceful Semitic hyperbole continues in
expressions 'it's better to enter the kingdom maimed, lame or dumb, than be
thrown into Gehenna'. Here it is not meant heaven and hell. The word Ge-henna is
a transliteration of the Hebrew Ge-Hinnon, the Valley (ge) of Hinnon, which is
situated south of Jerusalem. Mark links the destruction of Jerusalem in year
70AD, and quotes from the prophet Isaiah, who in 538BC had deplored its previous
destruction: then the dead bodies were spread in the valley of Hinnon (=Ge-Henna)
as an abhorrence, 'for their worm shall not die and their fire shall not be
quenched' (Isa 62,24). The meaning is: to destroy Little Ones in the Church is
as bad as destroying the Holy City of Jerusalem.
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