Jesus is meek and lowly of heart.  Hence, he wants us to be meek and lowly of heart also, and not at all haughty. 

John and the other disciples way well be as jealous for Jesus’ sake as Joshua was for Moses’.  Or they may be so haughty.  Haughty enough to think that those in their group alone should drive out demons in Jesus’ name?   But their reason does not matter to Jesus.  For he does not go along with them anyway.

And he gives them his reason for wanting no part in what they have tried to do.  But he seems to say, besides, that the one they have seen driving out demons has done them a favor.  A favor like what they receive as his disciples when someone gives them a cup of water to drink.

Hence, we should not look down in a haughty way on those who do good.  Never mind that they are not in our group.  We must not impede, most of all, the little and simple folks who believe in Jesus.  No, we should not turn into such a stumbling block for them that we weaken their faith.  After all, we are not to seek our own good, but the good of others.

And let us not be overbearing and haughty at all, not in the way we act.  Nor with our hands, feet and eyes.  Or we end up weeping and wailing.  And such and similar harsh and threatening words tell us that it is crucial for us to mend our ways.  To be haughty no more.  To stop making fun of the little folks, while we fancy we know God and worship him better than they.  For true religion is, indeed, found among them (SV.EN XII:142).

Lord Jesus, you are meek and lowly of heart:  let us not be haughty like those who seek to be served nor turn into stumbling blocks for the little ones who believe in you; help us to be meek and lowly, and to serve you and our brothers and sisters, though we are of no use. 

29 September 2024 
26th Sunday in O.T. (B) 
Num 11, 25-29; Jas 5, 1-6; Mk 9, 38-43. 45. 47-48