Take That

26th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Mark 9:38-43,45,47-49

Teacher, 
we saw someone driving out demons in your name, 
and we tried to prevent him 
because he does not follow us.

This line strikes me as plain middle school tattling. And the disciples must have thought Jesus would be so very proud. Exclusivity is seductive. The tighter the reins the easier it is for me to know for sure who is in and who is out. Neat and tidy...and small and self-referential.

Driving out demons is good work. But manipulating one of God's little ones for one's own benefit will have serious consequences. And even worse if it is done under the guise of churchiness or religiosity.

So beware. No tattling. No misleading.
Unless you want to be face to face with worms that don't die in a place where fire is never quenched .
Now, take that!