WHOEVER IS NOT AGAINST YOU IS FOR YOU

Jb 1,6-22; Ps 16; Lk 9,46-50
1 OCTOBER

Tomorrow the Apostles will be sent into the world to build the kingdom of God. For this work it is necessary that one works in communion with all the forces that believe in Christ Jesus. Each one must put at the service of the kingdom all of himself: soul, spirit, body, ministry, charismas, vocation and particular vocation. The kingdom must be built by feeling every Christian an essential part of the Body of Christ, which is the Church.

There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ. As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons, and we were all given to drink of one Spirit. Now you are Christ’s body, and individually parts of it. Some people God has designated in the church to be, first, apostles; second, prophets; third, teachers; then, mighty deeds; then, gifts of healing, assistance, administration, and varieties of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work mighty deeds? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? (Cf. 1Cor 12,1-31). One body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the one hope of your call; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. And he gave some as apostles, others as prophets, others as evangelists, others as pastors and teachers, to equip the holy ones for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ until we all attain to the unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the extent of the full stature of Christ, so that we may no longer be infants, tossed by waves and swept along by every wind of teaching arising from human trickery, from their cunning in the interests of deceitful scheming. Rather, living the truth in love, we should grow in every way into him who is the head, Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, with the proper functioning of each part, brings about the body’s growth and builds itself up in love (Cf. Eph 4,1-16).

These forces alone are not enough, they are not sufficient. The disciple of Jesus must ask the Holy Spirit to flood him with his wisdom and intelligence, so that he may the one to use every other force that the Father in heaven wants to associate to their work, even if through other paths and ways. Not all those who did good to Christ Jesus were his followers, yet the Lord always let himself be done some good and always let them do good. There is nothing more wrong in the apostolic work than spiritual myopia. It consists in seeing each one only himself or at most those of his small circle. Jesus wants his disciples farsighted, wise and intelligent. First of all, they must promote the good from whatever person it is done. Secondly, they will never have to prevent or hinder the good is done. This law requires openness of mind and breadth of heart.

An argument arose among the disciples about which of them was the greatest. Jesus realized the intention of their hearts and took a child and placed it by his side and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me. For the one who is least among all of you is the one who is the greatest.” Then John said in reply, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow in our company.” Jesus said to him, “Do not prevent him, for whoever is not against you is for you.”

But as it can be seen from the Gospel text, if the disciples still quarrel among themselves for questions of hierarchy and human greatness, can we claim that we have the eyes of Christ and his heart, to see all the good, every good and put ourselves in its service? Here is the true ministry of the Christian: working him all good, putting himself at the service of every other good. Serving the good is his vocation. A very high mission.

Mother of God, Angels and Saints, make us servants of good as Christ Jesus is the servant of good.