As we go about our days, we necessarily label, classify, and prioritize. What’s “in” and what’s “out” on our priority list? Because humans are social beings, we tend to do the same thing with people. We can only invite six people to the dinner party. Our young child wants to invite certain friends to her birthday, but we’re keenly aware of who the parents are, and the prospect of spending several hours with them is enough to give us pause.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus’ disciples face a classification problem. They’ve seen another person driving out demons in the name of Jesus. They recognize him, a
non-Apostle, as clearly “out.” And yet “Jesus replied, ‘Do not prevent him ... whoever is not against us is for us.” Jesus recognizes real faith in the would-be exorcist. In our own lives, Jesus invites us to recognize others’ good intentions. They should not be cut off simply because they do not line up with all our personal preferences. What, then, is deserving of such a fate?
“If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off ... if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out.”
When his listeners blame others, Jesus tends to pivot the conversation to their own lives. In this case, the message is clear. What we really need to cut out is that which keeps us from Jesus. If over-commitment causes us to lose patience with our family, doubt God’s providence, and become consumed with self-reliance, cut something out. If certain friendships lead us time after time into gossip and slander, cut it out. In today’s Gospel, Jesus invites us to live intentionally in our discipleship. Are we ready?