Whoever is not against us is for us

22 MAY (Mk 9,38-40)

Every true good always comes from the Lord. We can apply to the good, the same law that applies to the Wisdom. Here is what the Book of Sirach teaches us.

All wisdom comes from the Lord and with him it remains forever. The sand of the seashore, the drops of rain, the days of eternity: who can number these? Heaven’s height, earth’s breadth, the depths of the abyss: who can explore these? Before all things else wisdom was created; and prudent understanding, from eternity. To whom has wisdom’s root been revealed? Who knows her subtleties? There is but one, wise and truly awe-inspiring, seated upon his throne: It is the Lord; he created her, has seen her and taken note of her. He has poured her forth upon all his works, upon every living thing according to his bounty; he has lavished her upon his friends. Fear of the Lord is glory and splendor, gladness and a festive crown. Fear of the Lord warms the heart, giving gladness and joy and length of days. He who fears the Lord will have a happy end; even on the day of his death he will be blessed.

The beginning of wisdom is fear of the Lord, which is formed with the faithful in the womb. With devoted men was she created from of old, and with their children her beneficence abides. Fullness of wisdom is fear of the Lord; she inebriates men with her fruits. Her entire house she fills with choice foods, her granaries with her harvest. Wisdom’s garland is fear of the Lord, with blossoms of peace and perfect health. Knowledge and full understanding she showers down; she heightens the glory of those who possess her. The root of wisdom is fear of the Lord; her branches are length of days. But fear of the Lord is an abomination to the sinner. (Sir 1,1-21).

It is the Lord who inspires the heart to do good. It is the Holy Spirit who inspired this man, who the Gospel of this day speaks of, to cast out demons in the name of Jesus. Who operates in the name of the Lord cannot say to another that also works in the name of the Lord not to operate. It would be as if the Holy Spirit contradicted himself. It would be as if a Bishop, who is proposed by Christ to speak in the Holy Spirit and to give the Holy Spirit prevented a true prophet to prophesy. He would put the Holy Spirit in contradiction with himself. In this case there is only one explanation: since the Holy Spirit cannot contradict himself, who forbids who works in the Holy Spirit to operate, he certainly is not in the Holy Spirit.

Who is the Spirit of the Lord always recognizes the Spirit of the Lord, whatever He does through the human instrument. Who is not in the Spirit of God, precisely because he lacks in the supernatural light, not only he does not recognize the Spirit of the Lord, he even hampers, mortifies, wished he could extinguish or put it out. The Gospel is the historical evidence that those who were in charge to give God to the people of the Lord, in the name of God; they killed God and crucified him. They were not in God, with God.

John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us.” 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.

Jesus is in the fullness of the Holy Spirit. He is surrounded by his fullest light. In the Spirit of God he knows the truth of that man and orders his disciples not to hinder him to continue to cast out demons in his name. In addition he gives a rule that is valid for all time: who does not work against Jesus is for Jesus. He is for Jesus because he leaves him free to be able to fulfill his mission. No obstacle might ever come from him. Those who wish to get converted, might do it. Those who want to wish to approach to receive the word of truth, might do it. For those who want to be his disciples, even this choice can be made with the greatest freedom. The non obstacle is a great good.

Virgin Mary, Mother of the Redemption, Angels and Saints make us light in the Holy Spirit.