Numbers 11:25-29 / James 5:1-6 / Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48
One of the essential aspects of building relationships is that there is a common interest.
Individuals would instinctively gather themselves in groups when there is a shared common interest.
These groups are usually informal or casual, and it can consist of several members.
There is no written constitution or stipulation about leadership or membership.
The individuals gather together as a group because of a similar interest, and that is also the basis of their relationship.
Sometimes these groups are called “kakis” in our local Singlish.
For those who like playing mahjong, they are called mahjong khakis.
And there are others like jogging kakis, cycling kakis, dancing kakis, music kakis and of course makan kakis.
These groups usually gather to enjoy the common interest.
But, they can also become exclusive and ambitious, in that they compete against other groups and criticize other groups.
When Jesus chose the Twelve, they were not called a group or a club.
They were called “Apostles” as it was Jesus who called them and sent them to preach the Good News.
He also gave them authority and power to cast out devils and to cure the sick.
In the gospel, John, who was one of the Apostles, saw a man who was not one of the Apostles, casting out devils in the name of Jesus, and wanted to stop him.
But Jesus said: You must not stop him. No one who does a miracle in My name is likely to speak evil of Me. Anyone who is not against us is for us.
Jesus said that because John's complaint was a telltale sign that the apostles were beginning to see themselves as an exclusive group.
And they were also beginning to think that only they were specially entitled to have the power and authority to cast out devils and to cure the sick.
It is like as if they had the monopoly to that power and authority.
Anyone, or any other group, who does what they are doing is not legit, and so has to be stopped.
Jesus had to bring the Apostles back to their calling and their mission.
It was He who called them, and they responded because they loved Him.
But Apostles were beginning to think that they were exclusive and elite.
Pride and ego were setting in, and they felt threatened and insecure when others were able to do what they were doing.
As for us, we are Christians because Jesus loved us and called us to belong to Him.
And we have responded because we love Jesus, and we must always remember that our love for Jesus is the essence and foundation of our unity.
Because we love Jesus, hence we want to share with non-Christians the living waters of salvation by journeying with them to know and to love Jesus.
Because we are Christians, we will cut off our pride and ego, and to let simplicity, humility and charity be the foundations of our unity.
And because we love Jesus, we too will love one another with forgiveness, compassion, patience and kindness.
In his recent Apostolic visit to Singapore, Pope Francis reminded us that ultimately, life always brings us back to one reality, and that is, without love we are nothing.
In all we have and in all we do, there must be love, without which everything is futile.
Jesus is our love, and He unites us in His love.
With Jesus, we will be able to share that cup of living water with a world that is thirsting for God's love.