Do not prevent the one who is doing Good

Gospel Thoughts

*Ordinary Season : 26th Week - Sunday*

*GOSPEL - Mk 9:38-43, 45, 47-48*

*First Reading -  Nm 11:25-29*

*SECOND READING Jas 5:1-6*

*Do not prevent the one who is doing Good*

*1) Good can't come from evil Source*

Any Good work has its origin and Source in Goodness itself. Since God is only the pure Good every good work can have source only in Him. 

Since all good work come from God, one should respect the good work and support it 

So God is the source of all good work 

*2) Jesus says not to prevent the Good Work*

When the disciples prevented the Good work done by some one else, they prevenred him doing so. 

So when Jesus learnt that, His disciples prevented the Good Works He clearly says that, they should not prevent the good work, but they should support the good work 

So it is clear that when something is good, it must be accepted by all and every one should support in doing good 

*3)  Good work is not the property of the Few*

The disciples, were of the opinion that only those people who belong their group could use the name of Jesus and do good works 

They thought that others should not use the Holy name of Jesus in doing good work 

But Jesus says then that any body can do the good work. 

Thus Jesus declared that good work is not the property of few people, it is not the property of the particular religion or region, or particular race, or culture or rich and powerful people 

Good works belong to every one and every one can do some or the other good work

*4) Preventing good work is devilish*

The disciples stopped who was casting out demons in the name of Jesus 

This is something good work. Stopping such a good and great work could be a devilish act and not casting out the demons 

So today any one who tries to stop the good work, could be called as the act of devil. So one should be careful about such an act. 

*5) The culture of preventing good works*

In today world the culture of preventing the good work is on rise

When some one tries to do something good, there are lots of hurdles in this process. There are many people and many groups which try to prevent the good works 

Today the culture of dividing certain good works,  only to certain groups or to the religion or to some influential organization is becoming very common. As a result the culture of preventing good work is becoming very strong 

*6) God given senses for good work*

The Gospel of the day also highlights the importance of the eyes, hands, and legs. These are precious gifts of God to each one of us 

All these are given to do good work and not to prevent the good work 

When we use these God given senses and our life itself to prevent good work, our life becomes useless. But when it is used for good things our life becomes fruitful 

Jesus says, if our senses prevent us from doing good we need to cut them off and throw them out. This shows how much care we should take in using these things for doing good 

*7) What about my life?*

Am I doing good or preventing the good that is happening in my surroundings? 

Am I using the God given faculties for doing good or preventing good? 

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*