The disciples have the wrong motivation for trying to stop this person who was driving out demons in the name of Jesus. They are concerned with the respect the feel they were are, thinking "he does not follow us". But Jesus echoes the sentiments of Moses. He does not permit them to be jealous for his sake. Even more than Moses he desires "that all the people of the LORD were prophets". Jesus is himself the one through whom the LORD finally does bestow his spirit on us all. Because of him Paul can say, "I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy" (cf. 1 Cor. 14:5). He does not say it wistfully. It is his expectation for the community in Corinth. The heart of Moses, Jesus, and Paul is that the Spirit be poured out without limits on everyone who wants it. We can't let jealousy hinder the Spirit. We must always be ready to allow new and novel manifestations of the LORD's power.
On the other hand, Jesus tells us, "Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters" (cf. Mat. 12:30). The authentic message of Jesus never leads a little one to sin. It never leads us to withhold wages from workers or to store up treasures for ourselves at the expense of others. There are a million manifestations of the Spirit to which we must be open.
"Whenever the Spirit intervenes, he leaves people astonished. He brings about events of amazing newness; he radically changes persons and history." (John Paul II to the World Congress of Ecclesial Movements and New Communities)We must be open to these. We must be open to them even if they seem "outside the camp". Even if they challenge our expectations we shouldn't extinguish the Spirit.
The Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles, too. For they heard them speaking in other tongues and praising God (cf. Act. 10:45-46).
The Holy Spirit always moves us toward unity, even when he works in unexpected places. Even if he falls on those outside of the camp they will inexorably be drawn more deeply into the "unity of the Spirit" (cf. Eph. 4:3). The Spirit is, after all, the principle of unity into which we are all baptized (cf. 1 Cor. 12:13). Every legitimate cause belongs to us. Whether we are working to protect the unborn or the environment, the poor or traditional families these causes are all those of the LORD. We must be open to his work in any of them. When we see signs of the supernatural at work in causes which aren't necessarily close to our own hearts we must not for that reason close our hearts.
Yet we must be quick to cut off any movement toward sin. This is the only real distinction about which we need be concerned.
If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off.
It is better for you to enter into life maimed
than with two hands to go into Gehenna,
into the unquenchable fire.
The name of Jesus should be the center around which we gather. For his sake we should give water to drink and do any other good work. It is of course possible to say his name without meaning it. "If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen" (cf. 1 Joh. 4:20). That is why "no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit" (cf. 1. Cor. 12:3). They can say the words, but not truly mean them. They can't love with the love of Jesus which only the Spirit makes possible.
It is to this love that we are called. It is a calling to which we all too often fall short. But let's not put any artificial limits on the ways in which the LORD may pour out his Spirit, not only on others, but on us today. The Spirit longs to write the law of the LORD in our hearts so that we can be filled with all the joy which God wants for us.
The law of the LORD is perfect,
refreshing the soul;
the decree of the LORD is trustworthy,
giving wisdom to the simple.
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