What kind of group was the community of disciples to be? John, and most likely all the others, understood Jesus and his followers constituted a closed community: there would be insiders and outsiders. Only those who were officially insiders—those called by Jesus—were to be treated as such. People who acted like insiders were to be confronted and rejected. We find this case in the Gospel today in which an outsider was attempting to cast out a demon in Jesus’ name. Imagine the shock of the disciples when Jesus told them not to stop this “outsider” from expelling demons! Jesus says that anyone who is not against him is for him. Look around. You will find good coming from surprising places!

I encourage you to please mark your calendars for a very special and important event to take place here on the grounds of Mission San Luis Rey, Saturday, November 10 at 9:00 a.m. beginning in the Serra Center. The event is called “Share the Journey”. Last year on September 17th, Pope Francis launched the campaign to remember migrants and refugees from around the world in an effort to combat the culture of indifference in the world today. It means seeing through the eyes of others rather than turning a blind eye. As the pope says: “Not just to see but to look. Not just to hear but to listen. Not just to meet and pass by, but to stop. And don’t just say ‘what a shame, poor people,’ but allow ourselves to be moved with pity.”

To raise our awareness and in solidarity with the 65 million people in our world fleeing violence, extreme poverty and injustice, I invite you to join the parish community and Bishop Dolan for a “Share the Journey” Procession of the Blessed Sacrament on the Mission Campus and to hear the stories of several brothers and sisters who have fled untenable situations in their native lands. “Whatever you did for one of these brothers or sisters of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40)

In closing, I invite you and your family to celebrate our St. Francis Feast Day Celebrations this coming week. Please go to our parish website and click on bulletins (https://sanluisreyparish.org/) to see the back cover of today’s bulletin for all the details.St. Francis, the messenger of peace, pray for us!

Love, Father Vince