The Seventh Wednesday in Ordinary Time – from the Gospel of Mark the full reading and reflection

“No one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon after to speak evil of me”

an excerpt from today’s reflection by Don Schwager:

Do you rejoice in the good that others do? Jesus reprimands his disciples for their jealousy and suspicion. They were upset that someone who was not of their company was performing a spiritual work in the name of Jesus. They even “forbade” the man “because he was not following us”. Jesus’ reply is filled with wisdom: “No one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon after to speak evil of me.” Are we not like the disciples when we get upset at the good deeds of others who seem to shine more than us? Paul says that “love is not jealous… but rejoices in the right” (1 Corinthians 13:4,6). Envy and jealousy, its counterpart, are sinful because they lead us to sorrow over what should make us rejoice – namely, our neighbor’s good. The reason we may grieve over our another’s good  is that somehow we see that good as lessening our own value or excellence. Envy forms when we believe that the other person’s advantage or possession diminishes or brings disgrace on us. Envy is contrary to love. Both the object of love and the object of envy is our neighbor’s good, but by contrary movements, since love rejoices in our neighbor’s good, while envy grieves over it. How can we overcome envy? With the love that God has put into our hearts through the gift of the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5). The Holy Spirit purifies our love and frees us from our disordered passions, such as envy, jealously, greed, and bitterness. The love that God places in our hearts seeks the highest good of our neighbor. Ask the Lord to transform your heart that you may always rejoice in the good of others, even in those you find disagreeable.

ord Jesus, your love knows no bounds. Free my heart of all jealousy, pride, fear, and possessiveness, that I may always love others and treat them as you have treated me – with loving-kindness, goodness, mercy, thoughfulness, and generous care.”

for the full reflection visit : Daily Reading and Meditation