The First Reading and Gospel for today speak of a desire for exclusivity and control on the part of disciples. Joshua says to Moses: "My lord Moses, stop them!" (Num 11: 28) and the John tells Jesus: "Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us." (Mk 9: 38) On both occasions the response is to allow or the grace of God to be given free rein. The Church is a sign and sacrament of salvation rather than some kind of spiritual Fort Knox. We have the duty of safeguarding the deposit of faith so that all people can benefit from it knowing that what we believe and teach is the authentic Gospel message. It remains that we are always called to cooperate with grace and not control it or set limits to its effects. As Catholics we often need to turn the other cheek or forgive past slights or wrongs so that we bring others closer to Christ even when they have previously rejected the Church and her teachings. Heaven forbid that we find ourselves in the same position as the elder brother in the parable of the Prodigal Son! After all: "You received without payment; give without payment." (Mtt 10: 8)
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