The Name of Jesus

Today’s Gospel Text: John said to him, "Teacher, we saw a man casting out demons in your name, and we forbade him, because he was not following us." 39 But Jesus said, "Do not forbid him; for no one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon after to speak evil of me. 40 For he that is not against us is for us. 41 For truly, I say to you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ, will by no means lose his reward. 42 "Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung round his neck and he were thrown into the sea. 43 And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. 45 And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell. 47 And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, 48 where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched. Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48

Reflection: A good tree not only gives fruit, but could have many uses too, no part of the tree goes wasted. Even if the main purpose of planting the tree could be its fruit but besides giving shade to a passerby, the fruit can be used for a variety of purposes, the seeds to too can be used as edible oil, the bark and leaves could be used as fodder or as a medicinal herb or for other useful purposes.

Similarly, one of the main purpose of Jesus’ coming was to make disciples of all nations, yet his reach is far and wide to all sorts of people who are open to his action and power.

Even the wicked and the evil may make use of his name for personal glory and power, if they do not repent then it is only to face the judgment on the last day; “On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you evildoers.” Matt 7:22-23

Hence of the many who  would be using his name, there will be some who maybe for Christ or against him or maybe seeing his power change and turn to him, repenting of whatever wrong they may have done.

The wheat and the weed has to exist and grow together:  “...lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. Let both grow together until the harvest.” Matt 13:29-30

It is a lesson for each one of us not to take the generosity of God for granted, in fact, “..to every one who has will more be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away.” Matt 25:29

Prayer: Lord, as I seek to be your instrument, following you as a disciple, may I be found worthy of your calling and not be found lacking on that day.

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us

Waiting to Labor

Today’s Gospel Text: "For the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2 After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 And going out about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the market place; 4 and to them he said, 'You go into the vineyard too, and whatever is right I will give you.' So they went. 5 Going out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour, he did the same. 6 And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing; and he said to them, 'Why do you stand here idle all day?' 7 They said to him, 'Because no one has hired us.' He said to them, 'You go into the vineyard too.' 8 And when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, 'Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, up to the first.' 9 And when those hired about the eleventh hour came, each of them received a denarius. 10 Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received a denarius. 11 And on receiving it they grumbled at the householder, 12 saying, 'These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.' 13 But he replied to one of them, 'Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for a denarius? 14 Take what belongs to you, and go; I choose to give to this last as I give to you. 15 Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?' 16 So the last will be first, and the first last." Matt 20:1-16

Reflection: One of the powerful and joyful message that this parable communicates is this; the householder does not just hire laborers to satisfy his personal need.

The householder goes each hour to search for the idle laborer who is looking out for a job, making himself available for hire and the householder hires these very laborers in his vineyard.

The important criterion is availability towards hire by being available in the market place.

As for the householder, his criterion seems compassion and love for the laborer who looks out for a hirer for his daily bread. The householder has abundance to give but he can’t give it to all, though available to all.

He can only give those who are willing to be hired. At the same time at the end of the day, the quality of the work, or the quantity does not matter to him, but the sincerity to be hired and willingness to labor is important to the householder.

The householder is the image of a God who cares and comes in search for individuals who are willing to labor in his vineyard by waiting at the market place. 

Since the abundance of the householder exists, whatever the laborer receives is a free gift, irrespective of his labor. 

Christ Jesus, has earned the abundance of the wealth to be bestowed on his beloved laborers who are willing to labor in order to receive a reward, which is purely gratis.

As for us it is enough to know and cling to the generosity of God to offer us from his abundance a share in his kingdom and not to envy or be jealousy about other laborers.

Finally, the laborer who waits at the market place is the one who waits in the market place of the mind in prayer, willing to be hired by his master. The Lord will come and will not disappoint such a one.

Prayer: Lord, as I seek you each day in prayer, I shall not loose hope now, because you will come to me to comfort and hire me as your servant and laborer.

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us