The gospel for Wednesday of the seventh week in Ordinary Time is taken from Mark 9th, chapter 38 to the 40th verse. John said to Jesus, teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us. Jesus replied, do not prevent him. There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me. Whoever is not against us is for us. It’s hard for me to believe that.

For the first 27 years of my life, I believed that the Holy Roman Catholic Church was the only church that could bring somebody salvation. I wonder how that kind of teaching was so prevalent for so long, until Vatican Council blew it apart and talked about one very beautiful thing. Any community of people who turn to God and seek his truth is a means of salvation. It’s not. Membership in a denomination that saves us is whether or not we’re open to what is true, who God really is, and what we’re really here for. I ask you to take a few moments to reflect upon the images of these stories, and then I will close with a prayer.

Sam Satan Closing prayer Father, you called us into a community much bigger than our religion, our circle of friends and family, our country. We’re called to be a part of your work throughout the world. Bless us with the ability to embrace all who seek the truth, and we ask this in Jesus name, amen.