DO NOT PREVENT HIM

Jam 4,13-1 7; Ps 48; Mk 9,38-40
23 MAY
The Law of the Lord forbids every man to do evil. Evil is the death of the soul, of the spirit and of the body. It must always be avoided. Every man must be taught what evil is so that he does not do it, but also what good is so that he dedicates himself to it with all his heart, mind, thoughts, soul and strength. Never either in the Old Testament or in the New is it forbidden to anyone to do the good that is in his possibilities. The good must always be done to everyone. St. James admonishes us: “Whoever knows how to do good and does not do it, commits sin” (Jas 4:17). It is a universal rule that every man is subject to.

In the law of good, Jesus goes infinitely beyond the Old Testament. It is true that it had very precise commands concerning the good on the part of the Lord. First of all, the good begins by observing perfectly the Commandments of the Law. Then there was also the commandment on the neighbour to be loved as the self and also on the enemy, who must be loved, doing him good and never harm. Evil must always be avoided.

“You shall not bear hatred for your brother in your heart. Though you may have to reprove your fellow man, do not incur sin because of him. Take no revenge and cherish no grudge against your fellow countrymen. You shall love your neighbour as yourself. I am the Lord. When an alien resides with you in your land, do not molest him. You shall treat the alien who resides with you no differently than the natives born among you; have the same love for him as for yourself; for you too were once aliens in the land of Egypt. I, the Lord, am your God (Lev 19.17-18.33-34).  If your enemy be hungry, give him food to eat, if he be thirsty, give him to drink; For live coals you will heap on his head, and the Lord will vindicate you (Pr 25,21-22).

Jesus overcomes these commands by bringing them to the most sublime of perfections. His disciples are asked to renounce their own life, in order not to do any harm to the other person. Did not Jesus give his tunic, cloak, his body and his blood to his enemies?

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on (your) right cheek, turn the other one to him as well. If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic, hand him your cloak as well. Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go with him for two miles. Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow. “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same? So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect (Mt 5,38-48).

With the answer given to the disciples returning from the mission, another fixed point is placed in history. In his name everyone can do good and everyone can ask it. When a disciple of Jesus sees another man who in the name of Christ performs prodigies, miracles, drives out demons, does anything else, he must always be helped, encouraged and supported. Then, with the help of the Holy Spirit from the good we will pass into the fullness of the truth. One must never ask for the fullness of truth or belonging. This path was that of God throughout the Old Testament. He has always asked everyone for the good. The truth is reached progressively.

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.

Whoever does good is for man, for the Lord, even for Christ Jesus, if he does the good in his name. Never might he speak ill of Him. Never will he speak ill of the disciples. Belonging in the faith is already a good. It must be brought to the fullness of the truth, but never impeded, hindered and condemned. Christ Jesus, you are wisely great!

Virgin Mary, mother of the Redemption, Angels and Saints make us capable of discernment.