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." (Mk 9:38-40)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022625.cfm
Some folks want the church divided into opposing sides, but the Lord offers us another way: “Whoever is not against us is for us.” Perhaps we should be looking on one another not as the “enemy” but rather as working together to proclaim the Good News. We continue to pray for Pope Francis, for his health and his ministry of unity in the church.
These reflections are a result of more than 40 years of ministry as a Roman Catholic priest. Most of these years I spent in the Diocese of Charlotte which covers Western North Carolina. Now I am retired, and live in Medellín, Colombia where I continue to serve as a priest in the Archdiocese of Medellín.
Wednesday, Week VII, Ordinary Time
