Our gospel readings for the last three Sundays are taken from the 8th and 9th chapters of Mark’s gospel. They are mostly Jesus’ words to his immediate disciples, those whom he called to follow him. People like Peter, James and John. 

They show us that even those closest to Jesus in his earthly ministry often did not understand him and his teaching. A few Sunday’s ago in our gospel, Peter, one of his closest disciples, told Jesus to forget about going to Jerusalem where he might be put to death. Jesus called him, “Satan” and told him he was thinking  like a human being and not like God.

In last Sunday’s reading from Mark the disciples were arguing about who was best among them. Who is going to get the best job in the kingdom Jesus promised would come. Jesus pointed to a child and said it would be the children in spirit, not the powerful and talented who would be first in the kingdom of God. 

The chosen disciples  who listened to Jesus day by day often didn’t understand him. 

In today’s gospel, they misunderstand him as well.

 “ At that time, John said to Jesus,”Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us.” Jesus replied, “Do not prevent him.There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me. For whoever is not against us is for us. Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ,  amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward.” (Mark 

John and his brother James, you remember, wanted fire to consume the Samaritans who objected to Jesus passing through their town. Not tolerant men at all.

We have to continually recognize the way our human thinking, our way of human planing, our way of human wisdom can get in the way of knowing Jesus, his wisdom and God ways. We have to be respectful of all, because God’s truth and goodness is not just in. us, or our party, or our country’s. God’s grace is everywhere.

Pope Francis was criticized by some recently  for his recent visits to Moslem spiritual leaders in Indonesian and elsewhere.  He believes in working with other religions. Each offers a path to God and can promote the common good.

I remember some years ago the pope spoke io the Congress of the United States and. held out four people who worked for the common good of our country.  Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King, Dorothy Day and Thomas Merton. Two were not Catholic. The others worked for the good of our nation using their unique gifts.

The gospel we read today is especially important for the divisive world we live in now. It makes makes sense. We need to work for the common good, whether in our world, our country, our church or out community. The common good is God’s good. Those who work for it are for us, not against us.