Twenty Sixth Sunday, Ordinary Time, September 29, 2024

From the Deacon’s Desk Reflection on Today’s Gospel Reading

    

In today’s media driven world it is so hard to discern what is true and what has been altered to fit an agenda.  Most of us are very much aware that everything that we hear and see on television and on social media is not always a clear representation of the truth.  Bits and pieces might be true, but the presenter has conveniently manipulated his or her report in order to fit his or her particular agenda.  People who receive the message that agree with the agenda tend to heavily buy in to the story and its message.  On the contrary, other people who disagree with the agenda are often times angered and enraged.  These media presentations then create what I tend to think of as the “great divide,” a deep, empty, abyss between the people on both sides which shuts down dialogue, communication, and understanding.

    In today’s Gospel Jesus challenges His disciples to dig deeper for the truth and to refrain from making harsh judgments based on their own temptations and pride.  He is pushing them to get themselves out of the way so that they can more effectively evangelize those they come in contact with.  When pride and jealousy are involved and rear their ugly heads, we can usually count on that we are being manipulated by Satan, and are being used as a ministry block, hindering instead of helping others move forward in their faith.  We are carrying around our own agenda and refuse to listen and try to understand those who disagree.  We are right, they are wrong, and that’s that!

    There is a man outside of the circle of the Apostles who is casting out demons.  Well, how can this be?  The Apostles do not like this fact and bring it to Jesus’ attention immediately.  Jesus’ response is, “Whoever is not against us is for us!”

    Jesus goes on to say that, “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin,
it would be better for him if a great millstone were put around his neck and he were thrown into the sea.”  In other words, we don’t want to become a stumbling block to another person keeping them from coming alive in their faith.  Do we have millstones around our necks?  Pride is a big one.  Selfishness is another.  Being all about oneself and not willing to listen to another person or not being willing to speak the truth in love with a humble disposition, can keep others from experiencing the sacramental life of the church and diving into a deep relationship with Jesus which opens up a whole new world of grace and love for those around us.

    Today on this twenty sixth Sunday ordinary time let us take a few moments and ask ourselves if we have any millstones around our necks and ask God to remove them for us.  Confession this week would be a good start.  Then we can open ourselves up to Jesus each and every day and ask Him to reveal to us the truth in all things, so we can easily recognize the agendas of others, and have a keen awareness of any way that we perhaps are being manipulated.  This is how we build bridges of faith over chasms of division with those around us, and begin to understand their ideas and perspectives while holding onto what we know is true and good.  Then we can share our faith and it can now be received by the other because they have been both heard and understood.  When we do this, by the grace of God, we evangelize.