In Who’s Name?

The Monastery of the Holy Spirit in Conyers, Georgia is a very special place to a very dear friend of ours. Carl McColman, who has been our instructor for courses through Columbia Theological Seminary’s Certificate in Christian Spiritual Formation program is also a dear friend and mentor. Denise and I went to visit Holy Spirit on our way to a wedding in North Georgia in May. The above picture gives you but a glimpse of the interior of the Monastery chapel. It is enough of a glimpse that you might perhaps sense some of the spirit of the place as you gaze upon it. The practice of sacred/spiritual gazing or looking is called Visio Divina. It is a cousin to Lectio Divina or Sacred Reading. We spent a delightful few hours there and met some wonderful folks, including a monk who knew Carl well and spoke highly of him.

Neither Denise nor I were raised Catholic and even though we both have worshiped in Catholic churches (Denise went to Folk Mass when she was at the University of Alabama and I spent a fair amount of time in Cathedrals around the world plus worshiping with various Catholic parishes in the Air Force). There is a certain spiritual draw that I feel when I am in such sacred spaces. It is a certain kinship with fellow Christ-followers that I have definitely felt as I watched Pope Francis speak to the Houses of Congress this morning. I feel a certain sense of spiritual kinship with the Holy Father and I have a sense that he would look upon this Presbyterian Padre and retired Chaplain as a brother. We may have very different backgrounds in the church as well as in culture, but we follow the same risen Lord.

The Gospel reading for Sunday, Mark 9:38-50, seems to speak to that in a sense. John approached Jesus and said:  “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.” (Mark 9:38) Why were the disciples concerned about this person who was casting out demons in Jesus’ name? Were they afraid that someone was usurping a power that belonged to them exclusively? Did they feel that they were a part of some exclusive club and this person was moving in on their territory?

Whatever may have been going through John’s mind when he asked Jesus about this “other person” working in Jesus’ name, it didn’t seem to matter to Jesus. Jesus replied:  “Do not stop him; for no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. Whoever is not against us is for us. For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward.” (Mark 9:39-41) When I read this, I hear Jesus saying, “They are working for us. They may not be a part of this little band of followers, but they are doing my work in my name. Leave them alone… Support and encourage them!”

As I think about Pope Francis and a possible conversation we might have, I think I can see a similar thing happening. “Well, Reverend Moore, you may not be Roman Catholic, but you are my brother in Christ and we are both doing the work of Christ. So we are on the same team with the same goal. Bringing Christ’s love, mercy, and peace to a world in need of those gifts.” He would likely smile when I told him that I had officiated at the promotion ceremony from 1st Lieutenant to Captain of a certain Catholic Chaplain whom he chose to be the Bishop of Fairbanks! “I knew we were on the same team! A brother of Bishop Chad’s is certainly a brother of mine!”

As we read further in the Gospel lesson we are confronted with some pretty harsh stuff from Jesus. I am disturbed by the whole if you cause one of these little ones to stumble, it’s cement overshoes and the Jersey river for you! Or how about the whole pluck out your eye, cut off your hand, cut off your foot if they cause you to sin. Wow, Jesus! Really? Chop, Chop is the answer? How does that relate to casting out demons in your name? When I reflect on those verses I have to admit that I struggle with them. They are very harsh words. Then Jesus curiously concludes this graphic response with the comment:  “For everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good; but if salt has lost its saltiness, how can you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.” (Mark 9:49-50)

The fire we are salted with… what might that be, Jesus? In his own life and example, I think of the fire he would go through when he faced down the Chief Priests and Rome… The fire of torture and crucifixion. The fire of death. He knew the road he was traveling down and how difficult it was going to be. He also knew that the Spirit would be with him… always… even when he cried out on the cross, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?”

For the disciples, the warning may well have been directed at them and their complaints about the ones healing in Jesus’ name. Do you want to cause them to stumble with your partisan bickering? While you are busy splitting theological hairs, what about those who turn away… those who may well have been healed and restored in my name! Do YOU want to be responsible for turning them away from me?

Have salt in yourselves! Be at peace with one another! You are both healing in my name! When I look at the harsh words of Jesus in that way, they make sense. While so-called christians (lower case is intentional) are busy telling everyone else who is different from them that they are going to hell, multitudes are turning away from Christ and Christianity. Frankly, at times, these judgmental bigots make me want to go away… that is part of the reason I call myself a Christ-follower. They have polluted and made vile the name Christianity. Be at peace with one another! That is what Jesus is telling us to do today. Instead of throwing hatchets at each other or figuratively stoning each other, how about focusing on Christ and what he calls us to do?

I see Pope Francis doing just that as he challenges those of his own flock and the rest of the world, Christian and non-Christian alike. His message, which is Christ’s, is about loving God and loving neighbor. If we spent less time condemning and criticizing each other and more time working to bring the Gospel of Love, Justice, and Mercy to the world, just think what a wonderful world this would be (sorry Louis Armstrong!).