Jesus tells in the Gospel last Sunday how to welcome the weakest members of the community. Whoever welcomes, one child such as this in my name, welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me, welcomes, not me but the One who sent me. The Gospel this Sunday picks up on this: John sees someone expelling an unclean spirit using the name of Jesus. The man is an outsider, the disciples tried to stop him, but Jesus says: Anyone who is not against us is with is. It’s easier for the disciples to accept a little child because they pose no threat to them. But welcoming another person practicing a powerful ministry who is not in their company is too much to accept. They think that exorcism is a privileged ministry for them alone. Their envy blinded them to the good works done by another person, not in their company.

A week after the scene of the famous confession of Peter and the first passion prediction, Jesus reiterated His coming suffering, death, and resurrection. As they return to Capernaum, Jesus asks them what they were arguing about along the way. They argued among themselves, who is the greatest? Since Peter seems to be the unofficial leader, they expect him to give them an answer. But instead, Jesus gives them an unexpected answer; If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all. Meaning, the greatest does not think of himself to be the first in the eyes of God. He does not expect to be the leader but serves the least among all.

The Gospel last Sunday shows us the compassionate and personal love of God for us. This generous gift of divine love demands a wholehearted response from us. Accepting God, loving Him means embracing the mission entrusted to us, even if it means a sacrifice. Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, follow me. It means going beyond our comfort zone, denying ourselves, and carrying our cross. Love of neighbor means walking our talk, making sacrifices, especially for those in need.

Isaiah describes the people of Israel rejoicing because the Lord came to their aid and saved them. The Lord’s presence vindicated them from the eyes of their enemies. Israel experiences a transformation as they acknowledge God’s saving power. He removes the ills of Israel – a spiritual freedom people experience when the Messiah comes. In the Messianic time, the deaf can hear, and the mute can speak. When Christ came, He fulfilled all the Messianic prophesies, cited in Lk. 7:22, Go and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind sees, cripples walk, healing of lepers, the deaf hears, the dead resurrected to life, and the good news proclaimed to the poor.