In our gospel reading [Mk. 9:38 et seq.], au unknown person acting in Jesus' name is "casting out demons."(In modern language, he was relieving mental and emotional suffering). The disciples have their knickers in a twist because the man is not one of them, not a certified member of the apostolic college. Jesus attacks their criticism, saying "whoever isn't against us is for us." We don't know the historicity of this episode; when Matthew picks up a decade later he changes it; he has Jesus say just the opposite, "whoever isn't for me is against me." No matter, we don't look to Scripture as historical but as theological material and we focus on the message.
I find some really solid messages here. First, we are not presume that we know what God is doing, nor why nor with whom. That is not our province. Second, we must not be elitist or exclusive. We must avoid us v. them scenarios. Not to say that we should not stand by our convictions, but we can do some without judgmentalism towards others. As Christians we aren't called to be right. We are called to be faithful. I recently received an invitation to a clergy-appreciation event at a retirement community where I offer regular services and minister to several people. I was shocked to learn that some residents asked the management not to invite me (or the Roman priest who also serves) as they don't consider us Christians. They need to read this passage and some history books.
Another message that the passage conveys to me is the value of ecumenism. First, Christian ecumenism which allows us to learn from persons of various traditions and to be more tolerant. I serve in an ecumenical body with a gentleman who was a lifetime pastor in an exclusivist type of tradition, and I was delighted when he announced recently that he has left denomination for a more open and progressive one. Second, broader ecumenism can also be wonderful. The teaching which we called the Golden Rule is the philosophical basis for all the worlds great religions. I have come to know, respect, and learn from, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist and other faith traditions.
In our Hebrew pericope [Esther 7, portions] we engage a wonderful book which was written in the fifth century B.C.E., and the text was enlarged and finalized in the second. There are only three books of the Bible starring women, the other two being Ruth and Judith. In Esther, persons following the traditional religion and values of the Persian Empire have decided that Jews are guilty of being different and need to be annihilated. Showing amazing chutzpah, Esther, learning of a planned pogrom, enters the King's court, reveals the plot and saves herself and her people. The book teaches several good points. First, people of faith, faced with an Empire and its culture hostile to their values (as we are today) need not withdraw, but become involved in the culture and try to better it. Second, people of faith can and should honour what is good in the prevailing culture. And, finally, people of faith should cooperate with the system when they can do so with violating the principles of their tradition. There is good stuff here about being responsible, yet faithful, in a hostile environment.
Let me close with Edwin Markham's poem "Outwitted"
He drew a circle that shut me out
Heretic, rebel, a thing to flout.
But love and I had the wit to win.
We drew a circle that took him in.
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