Acting in the Name of Christ

This weekend’s Gospel comes from the ninth chapter of St. Mark. The section the Church wants us to reflect on has two messages but one theme. The disciples complain that one not part of their group is casting out demons in the name of Jesus. The second is the harsh rhetoric Jesus uses in describing sinful people.

In response to his disciples, Jesus says, “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. For whoever is not against us is for us.”  The casting out of demons is undoubtedly a mighty deed. If Jesus’ response were only about these, then his message would only be meant for a rare few. However, his message is profoundly inclusive, reaching out to those not against him. The following sentence from St. Mark brings clarity to Jesus’ meaning, “Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ, amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward.”

Now, we have a definition.  Any person who does a good deed in the name of Christ is not an outsider but a part of his Body, which constitutes a mighty deed. It insinuates the need for followers of Christ to do charitable works as a part of their faith life. This is not just a suggestion but a call to action. St. James reaffirms this principle, “So also faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” As a point of clarification, James’s letter is included in the Catholic canon of the bible, not the Protestant one. Let us heed this call and actively engage in charitable works, for it is through our actions that our faith truly comes alive.

It also highlights something else. Words spoken are cheap and have little value if not backed up by deeds. This contrast between words and deeds is a key insight into the true nature of faith. How a person acts is a better determinant of their character than any words they may say. When the words are linked with good acts, there is a continuity within a person.  There is no duplicity between what they hold in the silence of their heart and the outward expression of charitable acts. This underscores the importance of aligning words with actions, inspiring faithful Christians to speak about their faith in Christ and then act in his name, thereby having a faith that is alive and not dead.

In contrast, Jesus distinguishes between those who act in the name of Christ and those who do not. “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were put around his neck and he were thrown into the sea.” The stern warning could be applied to either children or those with nascent faith. This is the exact opposite of acting in the name of Christ. Jesus affirms that acting in the name of evil is so horrific it would be better if the person would perish in the depths of the sea.    

Anyone who sins, by definition, does not act in the name of Christ. This action is so detrimental to a person’s well-being that Jesus uses hyperbole to ensure we know how deadly these acts can be. He says if any part of your body is the cause of sin, it would be better to cut it off or pluck it out. It is better to go through life maimed or blind than to go to hell where the “fire is never quenched.

The theme running through the Gospel is the necessity for a disciple to act in the name of Christ. Even if the good work is not explicitly done in the name of Christ, it is accomplished indirectly. A good act is a good act, regardless of the initial motivation. This is the description of developing faith.

All good comes from God, and sharing that characteristic by charitable works for another means a person shares the mission of Christ in some way. As disciples, we should not be content with doing good deeds but go further by linking our good works with Christ. Then, we are assured we are not acting to make us feel virtuous but rather because we love Christ and our neighbor.  When we love Christ and our neighbor, we are with him instead of against him, the great antidote to sin.