Memorial of Saint Polycarp
February 23, 2022
Daily Reading from the USCCB: Mark 9:38-40
The Gospel of Mark describes the jealousy of Jesus’ apostles who were upset because some other men were expelling demons from some possessed people. They would have none of it. These other men were not part of their band; they weren’t disciples of Jesus–they told them to stop.
But how unlike Jesus to prevent anyone no matter who from doing good. God is never jealous of who does good to others. Sometimes we can think like that when we envy the good others are able to do for people around them.
Jesus wanted to remind his disciples that good is good no matter where it originates. Jesus was never jealous when he saw goodness around him. All good is basically a sharing in God’s own goodness. It is a privilege for us to be able to do good to others. It is a privilege for us to be used as instruments of God for others.
The real disciple of Jesus is one who rejoices in the good things anyone does for another. God is pleased and therefore so should we all be.
