Commentary on the readings for Sunday 26th Sunday
In the last events, the disciples thought they had left a bad impression on Jesus. To regain their courage in his eyes, John tells how they prevented a man from casting out demons in the name of Jesus, "because he doesn't come with us". They had not been able to expel the devil that tormented that child at the foot of the mountain. A stranger, on the other hand, succeeded. Envy and exclusion are unleashed, hidden by the apparent good reason of belonging. John waits for the Lord's praise, which does not come: "Do not forbid him... He who is not against us is with us.". Anyone can work miracles in the name of Jesus, even if he is not one of those who follow him. The temptation of collective pride, of an "us" that opposes itself, of envy of the good done by others who are not of one's own group, is always lurking in civil society and in the Church. It is easy to fall into it, and we must be vigilant.
Jesus offers them antidotes against this collective pride, fed by knowing themselves to be disciples of Jesus and participating closely in his miracles: John saw Jairus' daughter come back to life and Jesus transfigured on the mountain. He affirms that anyone, of any people, faith, culture, if he does something small, such as giving the disciples a glass of water to drink because they belong to Christ, he will have his reward. On the other hand, the disciples must be attentive because they can scandalize the little ones, who are those who have a weak faith, perhaps inducing them to abandon the following of Christ and the Church, for example with the attitude of exclusion that they have just shown.
Furthermore, the disciple must eliminate that which is an obstacle to him, in himself. A hand, a foot, the eye. Something very personal, which causes stumbling. Adam's hand took the fruit of the tree of life, and Cain's hand was raised against Abel. But Abraham's hand rose in prayer, and Jesus' hand raised up the daughter of Jairus. The hand grasps to possess, steals, kills; but it also works, prays, caresses, heals and gives. Jesus speaks of only one hand to cut, because the other is a sign of the possibility of good, of the conversion that is always possible. The foot recalls the orientation of life, the possession of the earth and the exercise of power. "Their feet run to shed blood."but "how beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news." (Rom 3:15, 10, 15). "The man with envious eyes is evil." (Sir 14:8) but "my eyes have seen your salvation" (Lk 2:30). The eyes speak of the attitude of the heart towards creatures. Jesus makes his disciples understand that they must follow him (foot) and put his word into practice (hand), but also have a clear eye to love all the people he loves.
The homily on the readings of Sunday 26th Sunday
The priest Luis Herrera Campo offers its nanomiliaa small one-minute reflection for these readings.
