“Jesus replied, “Do not prevent him. There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me. For whoever is not against us is for us” (Mark 9:39-40).  

 

The major theme for this 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time gives us a strong warning against jealousy, intolerance, scandal and invites us to open our mind and heart to accept God’s grace and blessings by becoming more aware and appreciative of the Spirit of God at work in others, even in those we least expect or reject. 

 

Narrowness, intolerance or living life according to a single point of view is as much an injustice to the person trapped in it as it is against others. To live in such a partial, exclusive atmosphere is to willingly forfeit the richness and fullness of reality that plurality and diversity afford to human experience. To suspect unorthodoxy simply because it is different from familiarity is to choose to live a diminished existence…. Our God is a God of surprises. His compassion and mercy have no bound. Therefore, we should never limit God’s way of acting, claiming our superiority, partiality, exclusivity, elitism and self-righteousness. Rather, we should accept and imitate God’s generosity and unconditional love toward all and avoid all kind of jealousy, intolerance and scandal to glorify our God.

 

God does not want us holding a relationship of Transaction but Transformation. Therefore, Dynamic Christian disciples are those who (1) BELIEVE, (2) GROW, (3) SERVE, (4) LOVE and (5) LEAD others to Jesus. Today’s topic challenges us to expand our horizons and to be more appreciative of God’s mercy. 

 

How can we be more tolerant with and accepting of others?

 

Wishing everyone a blessed week in the Lord.