(Mark 9:41)
"The world is a world of grace" is the title of a book by P Leo O'Donovan, S.J. that changed my way of seeing the world, the church and all the men around me when I started my theology in Cambridge, MA, in the year 1991. But with the same grateful gift, I can say that these 36 years of Jesuit life have made me feel the grace of God in various circumstances and in people including in certain situations and in unexpected characters. That is why I join their hopes and bow m head to the giver of all graces, Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Today we find the readings that refer to the Israelites who asked Moses to intercede on their behalf and with which the disciples of Jesus asked him to expel the demons. The readings are parallel in speaking of the gift of prophecy that God gave to the 72 disciples and also of a stranger who expelled demons in the name of Jesus. Moses and Jesus respond in the same way to the objections of others who are not able to see the good that comes from others: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon them. They are on our side. "
God does not belittle personal gifts or personal graces when He distributes His gifts to all His people. Or was Moses' ability to prophesy diminished because the 72 disciples received that same gift? NO. Were the exorcisms practiced by Jesus less effective because others also did it in His name? Of course NOT. The grace of God is not limited to a few. We can not put limits to the grace of God. We live in a world of grace. 36 years later I can continue to say that "The Lord has been great with us and we are happy." Living at His service and being His pastor and His servant encourages me to look at each one of you as those who have also received the grace of God for community service. With Jesus in today's Gospel I can not help but be thankful for these first 36 years of religious life because every time I have been given a glass of water, their affection and understanding have been for Christ and they will not lose their reward. A.M.D.G.
Fr. Hernan, S.J.