Building the coalition of the good
Sept. 29, 2024—26th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Readings: Numbers 11:25-29; Psalm 19, R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.; James 5:1-6; Gospel – Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48
For this Sunday, there are three “tips” for living that we can reflect on. First is what the Lord said in the first part of the Gospel, “Whoever is not against us is for us.” Second is his statement on receiving a reward. Third is the single-minded focus on our salvation.
“For whoever is not against us is for us.” (cf. Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48) This is a good reminder for us to be inclusive. There is a natural temptation for us to be exclusive when we do well and succeed in a field.
The Lord reminded his disciples about this. It is a good reminder for all of us, especially in a world that is becoming more and more divided.
Just think of the divisions that plague our society now. Quite often it is one group thinking they are the good guys and “the others” are the bad guys.
The Lord reminded us to work towards building the coalition of the good. This invites us to see the good in others and to be less judgmental.
In our seminary days we were told this is giving each other the plus sign, believing in the goodness of others.
This was very real to me during one of my teaching years before I entered the seminary. I handled a class that was very difficult to motivate.
It wasn’t so much that they did not have the talent or ability, but what I found out was that for a whole year prior to my handling them, one of their teachers drilled it into their heads that they were no good, did not deserve to be in the school, etc.
After one success, winning one of the most “prestigious” drives at the start of the school year, things started to turn around.
All they needed was one success. They went on to have a terrific school year and the admiration of their batch.
Giving each other the plus sign rather than putting each other down works wonders for the individual and for the whole community.
Tremendous grace
This is something our society, our world needs now. Under a toxic environment, the coalition of the good will be a source of tremendous grace.
This brings us to the second point for reflection on receiving one’s reward for doing a good deed. The Lord’s message seems straightforward: Kindness begets kindness.
I have a favorite story about this, two stories. An interesting detail to these stories is that the two boys concerned were both considered “spoiled.”
They were not spoiled brats, but were “spoiled” in terms of being showered with love. Yes, they were showered with material things, but more than this, it was the environment of care and love they grew up in.
One story was that one boy, 11 years old then, after having dinner out with his family, came home, and when they got off the van, he was not wearing any shoes.
His parents asked him where his shoes were, and very casually, he said, “Dad, I gave it to the boy who was begging while we were waiting for the traffic light to turn green because I saw he had no shoes.”
The other story is about a 9- or 10-year-old boy who requested for pizza when his car picked him up from piano lessons.
Again, the car was waiting for the traffic light to turn green. There were beggars around them. When the car moved, the little boy looked at the driver and politely told the driver that he should have waited for him to give to a boy who was begging for the slice of pizza he was cutting.
Kindness begets kindness. Imagine how much better our world would be if we raise our children in a more caring and loving environment.
Finally, the third and perhaps most difficult point to reflect on, the single-minded focus on salvation. Though put rather radically as negative—cut off, pluck out whatever causes you to sin—the message is loud and clear.
St. Ignatius of Loyola has his First Principle and Foundation in the Spiritual Exercises.
He first laid out the end or goal for which we were created, that is, to attain union with God or eternal salvation. Then he added that we must use everything to attain this goal.
He introduces the principle of “tantum quantum,” in so far as it helps. Use all things, all created things in so far as they help attain the end for which we were created. Set them aside if they don’t or hinder us.
These are three practical tips that can make a whole world of difference in making our world, our lives, our being followers of Jesus so much better.
