19 February 2022 Mark 9:2-13
Saturday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time
SPIRITUAL INCLUSIVITY
“Rabbi, it is good that we are here” (Mk 9:5).
Peter, James and John were part of a privileged inner circle of Apostles. On Mt. Tabor they were privileged to see the beatific vision of Jesus radiant with divine glory with Moses and Elijah. While James and John became speechless Peter, really not knowing what to say speaks up: “Rabbi, it is good that we are here”.
They simply want to be in the exclusive company of their master and friends! This is a request for EXCLUSIVITY generated out of a sense of feeling privileged. Through this attitude they exclude the other twelve apostles waiting for them at the bottom of the mountain.
It can be a prefiguration of a tendency visible in prayer groups and communities to keep good things and experiences for themselves (Spiritual Exclusivity). Ironically, in our desire ‘to be at the mountain top’, we become narrow minded and choosy about who can participate and be admitted in our circle. Our service or ministry in the church becomes a project of the elite or gathering of similar minded people. Money and status become qualifying factors for inner circle.
Inclusion of all in your spiritual circle irrespective of all kinds of diversities is essential to the witness life of Christians. Amen.