Anyone Who Is Not Against Us Is for Us

¹⁷ Everyone who knows what is the right thing to do and does not do it commits a sin. (James 4: 17)

³⁸ John said to him, 'Master, we saw someone who is not one of us driving out devils in your name, and because he was not one of us we tried to stop him.'  But  Jesus said, 'You must not stop him; no one who works a miracle in my name could soon afterwards speak evil of me. ⁴⁰ Anyone who is not against us is for us. (Mark 9: 38-40)'

These readings challenge us not to be self-confident or self-reliant. Saint James instructed the members of his congregation not to be arrogant, but to walk humbly with their God. Those who are truly humble and self-sacrificing truly resemble Christ. In the Jewish profession of faith – Hear, O Israel, the Lord is God, the Lord alone – we find a summary of religion. This short phrase contains the first principles of faith and obedience. A faith that does not demonstrate itself in tangible ways is useless. The person of faith must surrender his or her life into the hands of God and become totally dependent on God’s provident care.

As we ponder the Word of God, it would be helpful to recall a passage taken from the Letter to the Hebrews, “The word of God is living and active” (Heb. 4:12). Pondering the word, we should add these words taken from Genesis. “God said, ‘let there be light,’ and there was light” (Gen. 1:3). God is the source of all that exists. He uttered a word and the whole world came into existence. God speaks a word of love to the ears of our hearts. Either we can listen to the word and respond to it in love, or we can rebel against it and remain in darkness. Coming out of the darkness we can live in love for Him and for one another.

Like the disciples in this Gospel passage from Mark, many of us are ready to take action against do-gooders who don’t belong to our denomination. Our Lord reminded them that he who wrought good works in His name would not be likely to hurt His cause. If sinners are brought to repent, to believe in the Savior, and to live sober, righteous, and godly lives, we then see that the Lord works by the preacher. Blessed are those who have this one God for their God. Blessed are those who come to the Lord and drink deeply from the streams of life-giving water that flows from His pierced heart. Because God’s love for us is unconditional and unfailing, love can blossom within us. Consequently, peace will come to those who help the poor, love their enemies.

We are disciples of Christ Who entered into the depths of love by embracing His passion and death. By rising from the dead He became the fountain of life for all who are willing to drink deeply. We are to listen to His voice and be conformed to Him in the bond of love. Faith is not something we do in church. Faith is a way of life whereby we love God with all our heart, and all our soul and all our strength. We are to respond to the call of Love with a sincere love, not just in word but with acts of love and compassion towards others. We are to respond to the call of Love with our whole being. We are to respond to the call of Love loving whatever we love for the love of God. We are to respond to the call of love, united in love to all who have heard the same call.

In His self-sacrificing love, Jesus has filled our hearts with love and compassion. Thus we learn to look at others not simply with our eyes but with the perspective of Christ. Seeing with the eyes of Christ, we can give others much more than their outward necessities; we can give them the look of love which they crave. Love is the service whereby we attend to our neighbor’s sufferings and needs. If we serve our neighbor our eyes will be opened to what God does for us and how much He loves us. When the Lord comes in glory may He bring us all together into eternal life.

Father Jerome Machar, OSCO