St James says today, "We are no more than a mist that is here for a little while and then disappears." (James 4:14) Therefore, due to our temporariness, we don't have the edge to over judge others, like how St John reacted in today's Gospel. Just because a man who is not one of them is casting out devils in the name of Jesus, the disciples try to stop him. Ponder awhile, who are we to say that just because this person does not belong to our group, therefore he/she does not have the privilege to do the same good as we do?

Jesus asserts, "Anyone who is not against us is for us." (Mk 9:40) As long as we promote the Kingdom of God and its values, we are doing it for God. People may live the good differently, but as long as the goal is achieved, whatever good means is commendable.

Ponder again, the people who believe in Jesus and follow Jesus; His command is simply love; it does not matter which church they belong to. In ecumenical spirit, we can look beyond the differences between our churches, we can bring about more evangelisation in Jesus' name. We must highlight what is common among the churches rather than the divergences.