"No one who works a miracle in my name is likely to speak evil of me. Anyone who is not against us is for us." (Mark 9:39-40)
In Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus defends the lone exorcist who uses his name. He is more concerned about what people say about him, than what good works they do in his name. As long as this man does not "speak evil" of him, he is to be tolerated: "Anyone who is not against us is for us."
By contrast, those who deny Jesus’ identity are to be refuted. When his enemies accused him of being possessed by demons, Jesus reversed this phrase: "He who is not with me is against me" (Matthew 12:30, Luke 11:23). He also shifts the focus from the disciples ("us") to himself ("me"): the most crucial relationship is with him personally, which then gives meaning to our relationship with his followers.
