Dangers of Group Mentality

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season: Twenty Fifth Week : Sunday*

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

*First Reading : Nm 11:25-29*

*Responsorial Psalm : Ps 19:8, 10, 12-13, 14*

*Second Reading :Jas 5:1-6*

*Dangers of Group Mentality*

*1) Group mentality or Philosophy*

In the present day world we see the strong waves of Group mentality or Philosophy

Almost everything is seen from the perspective of group mentality

Religions are divided 

Cultural aspects are divided

Eating habits are divided

Feast and celebrations are divided

There are divisions in the school, churches, in the society, and everywhere 

The divisive philosophy is the most dangerous thing that is present in today's World, which practically destroys everything

*2) Jesus on Divisive philosophy*

The Gospel of the day speaks about the divisive philosophy 

Some how the disciples bof Jesus are moved by the influence of divisive philosophy 

That's why we see the disciples of Jesus, stops a person who was doing good work in the name of Jesus 

The only reason to stop him was, that the person does not belong to their group 

*3) Jesus warns against the divisive philosophy*

The opinion of Jesus makes it very clear that, one should not be influenced by the divisive group mentality 

Jesus tells his disciples not to stop the person who was doing the good work, only because the person does not belong to our group

Thus Jesus tells each and evey one of us, not to carried away with the divisive philosophy

*4) Divisive philosophy is the Work of Satan*

Dividing is One of the instruments of Satan. 

Division, weakens the unity and the spirit of Good work 

One who divides does not belong to Jesus. Such a person belongs to Satan 

Division finally destroys everything

This is what we see in today's world, in every area of our life 

*5) Divisive philosophy opposes the Good Work*

In the Gospel it is clearly shown 

Those people who were under the influence of Divisive philosophy, immediately stop other person from doing the good work 

In other words, such mentality opposes the good work done by others 

Divisive philosophy makes a person to think, good work can be done only by one group, others can't 

*6) Divisive philosophy creates a narrow mind*

Such philosophical bent of mind creates a very narrow minded attitude 

Such a narrow minded attitude finally leads to fundamentalism and  communalism

Such mentality sees everything is wrong which is done by others 

Such mentality creates a attitude of eliminating others because they don't follow us 

*7) Divisive philosophy creates Jealousy and Anger*

Two examples are given in today's Gospel. 

Joshua became very jealous when he saw that 70 elders received the gift of the Holy Spirit for doing prophecy 

Moses rebukes Joshua for his jealousy attitude 

In the Gospel, the disciples of Jesus were very jealous because some one was doing the good works 

Here Jesus rebukes His disciples for their jealousy attitude

Finally jealousy leads to anger and then anger leads to revenge and destruction

*8) Divisive philosophy within the Body*

Body has different parts or divisions

All these divisions are meant for a special purpose. 

None of these parts are allowed to work independently. 

Body is one and all the parts should work for the unity of the person 

When such a unity is destroyed then different parts of the body, commit sin and destroy the good spirit and holiness 

Jesus says, one should pluck out such parts from the body and throw it away 

How is the unity of my being? 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*