The Little Ones

26th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48

September 29, 2024

I wish that I was not as addicted to the news headlines as I am. My life would be so much more peaceful. Whether it is about the war in Israel and (now) Lebanon, or the war in Ukraine and Russia, or the war in Sudan, there is too much suffering going on. And here in our own country, if the headline isn’t about another mass shooting, then it’s about the antics of politicians. It is very hard to feel at peace when the headlines are about anything but peace.

And speaking of politicians, we are, of course, in the wackadoodle season that occurs every four years. The fever pitch is as high as anyone can remember and the dividing lines are being cast and recast as deeply as ever. It is amazing to me that so many people who claim to be Christian are exhibiting such unchristian-like behavior towards their fellow citizens. The concept of White Christian Nationalism is the antithesis of the teachings of Jesus, yet there is such a strong movement supporting this notion. It’s as if the country has forgotten the meaning of WWJD. What Would Jesus Do? Or maybe we never really did embrace the thought to begin with.

In today’s Gospel, the disciples get all “righteous” about some guy who is expelling demons in Jesus’ name, even though he is not a part of their group. They want Jesus to stop him. This guy needs to be evangelized and taught the proper words to use. He needs to be accepted into the inner circle before he has the nerve to go and actually heal people, right? I mean, he doesn’t even know the secret handshake!

Once more Jesus holds his head between his two hands. After all this time, his disciples just don’t get it. Here is someone who is so convinced that Jesus is the Christ, that he is willing to go out and command demons to shut up and get out. If that isn’t an example of extreme faith, then I don’t know what is.

And yet, the history of the institutional church is rife with example after example of this very problem. If someone tries to do something good, without the expressed permission of the hierarchy, they get slammed and shut down as fast as you can spell excommunication.

The amazing thing is that in our country today, just the opposite is occurring. People are doing and saying things that are the opposite of the teachings of Jesus and are being commended. People who have done grievous acts are being held up as great leaders, and we are told we need more people like them. This group is leading the country down a dangerous road, yet so many are unconsciously following along.

Jesus has words for this group too. “Rather than make one of these little ones stumble, it would be better to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone hung around your neck." [Mk 9: 42] Jesus is not just talking about children here. He is talking about people who are easily swayed and are not strong in their beliefs. If my actions cause someone else to go against God’s teachings, then I am responsible for what happens to that person and the world as a result.

It would take a great act of courage to lop off a hand, or a foot, or an eye to prevent myself from doing an evil act. The good news is that I don’t need to be that dramatic. All I need to do is read the Beatitudes. I just need to remember to love and care for my neighbor. All of them.

I need to look for people who also exemplify these teachings and encourage them to be our country’s leaders. And I need to look for the marginalized people who are all around me, if only I had eyes to see. Not just the poor and homeless. But the lonely and hurting and sick. They are the little ones who need my love and care.

Every Day.

© 2024 by Timothy J. Doppel

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