B: 26th Sun of OrdTime (30 Sept 2018) - FOLLOWING VERSUS BELONGING - Mk 9:38-43, 45, 47-48

The narrative begins with the speech of John, saying: “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us” (Mk 9:38). This is the translation of the majority of English Bibles, e.g., New American Bible, New Revised Standard Version, New English Translation, and World English Bible. However, a few pastorally-oriented publications render the last phrase of the sentence as “because he doesn’t belong to our group” as seen in the Christian Community Bible and Good News Translation. The former is actually the direct translation of the Greek phrase “hoti ouk ekolouthei hemin” but the latter translates “ekoluthei” (literally, “to follow”) as “to belong” instead.

Between the two techniques of translating (literal and dynamic) we are perplexed with the appropriate meaning of “ekoluthei” in this verse. Furthermore, this lexical dilemma has a repercussion into our societal organization: Does following mean belonging? Does it mean that if one is part of a group, he/she should support every opinion of the majority? Does having a dissenting position merit an exclusion from the ingroup?

Most Filipino biblical translations adopt the dynamic way of reading “ekoluthei”: “sapagkat hindi siya sumasama sa atin” in Tagalog, “tungod kay dili nato siya kauban” in Cebuano, “huli ta mayo siya sa pag-iriba ta” in Bicolano, “kay indi naton siya kaupod” in Hiligaynon, and “ta ditay met kadua” in Ilocano. These translations indirectly tell us that, indeed, we Filipinos subconsciously equate “following” and “belonging” with each other. And extremely, we implement it at almost all facets of life: thus, if one is part of a group, he/she should think the same way as the rest… and if one is a true Filipino, he should support the Filipino Presidency at all cost. It is then understandable why Mr. Duterte still enjoys a 70% approval rate in the latest SWS survey despite all the failures and disasters brought forth by his administration.

Biblically speaking, “ekoluthei” does not mean “belonging”. Jesus rightfully corrects John in vv. 39-40: “Do not stop him… For the one who is not against us is for us.” What he succinctly means is that one may not be following (“ekoluthei”) the fold of the Twelve—he/she may be John the Baptist’s follower (Lk 7:20; Jn 1:35), or a Pharisee like Nicodemus (Jn 3:1; 19:39), or a secret supporter like Joseph of Arimathea (Mk 15:43; Jn 19:38)—but as long as that person cares and advocates Christian values, he/she does the correct and meritorious thing. They should not be denied, rather they should be admired.

The gospel actually parallels the First Reading when Joshua complained to Moses why Eldad and Medad, who were not part of the Seventy Elders, were prophesying (Num 11:28). Moses rebuked him in v. 29: “Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the LORD’s people were prophets, that the LORD would put his Spirit on them!”

Similarly, we should not impede political dissenters from speaking, nor social analysts from criticizing, nor human rights advocates from expressing their concern. They may indeed contradict what the majority think… yet so were prophets in the biblical history of our salvation.

- Rex Fortes, CM