26th Sunday in Ordinary Time Reflection

Reflection for 26^th  Sunday  in Ordinary Time
 
Numbers 11:25-29: This reading emphasizes that we must be open to the fact that the Holy Spirit freely moves among “all” of God’s people; not just among those we believe are qualified. We have to be on guard that we don’t become jealous of others’ callings from God to prophesy or minister to others. When Eldad and Medad were called to prophesy, an unidentified young man and Joshua questioned their authority and called on Moses to stop them. Moses’ answer to them is instructive for them and for us. We must first identify our own motives if we are questioning. Are we jealous or are we questioning God’s judgment in choosing a person that we may, incorrectly, believe is not worthy? Remember, the people did that with Jesus: “Is this not the carpenter’s son?” (Luke 4:22).  Rather, let’s celebrate, as Moses did, that the Spirit moves, impartially, among all!
 
Psalm 19: “The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.” This psalm reinforces the idea of having trust in God’s judgment. This song expresses thanks for and celebrates the perfection of God’s Law and notes how obedience to the Law gives wisdom to the simple. What a great statement supporting the notion that God can equip simple and unsophisticated people with graces and abilities, in order to enable them to perform His work. In the psalm’s third stanza, we read further suggestions or cautions, telling us that, no matter how hard we try to obey and follow the Law, we might still be blind to our own failings and mistakes and prejudices. Let’s have a mind to listen and be open, because if we close our minds, we may become an obstacle to accepting the workings of the Holy Spirit. If we don’t cultivate this embracing of unthought-of possibilities that come from God, we may be guilty, as many disciples have been of fighting the workings of the Holy Spirit! 
 
James 5:1-6: In this passage, James condemns the greed of the wealthy and their indifference to the needs and suffering of the poor. James accuses the rich that their wealth was obtained by fraud; withholding wages and refusal to share with the poor; (such as not allowing the poor to take what little is left in the field after the harvest). In previous parts of this letter, James explains the other injustices of the rich that make them liable to Divine judgment. The statement that “your gold and silver have corroded,” may be a reference to their practice of stockpiling more and more wealth, rather than sharing it with the poor. The line that they have “fattened their hearts for the day of slaughter” alludes that they have become so arrogant, spiritually blind and apathetic, that they have no fear of God or of Judgment Day. Are we ready?
 
Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48  Once again, a well-meaning disciple, John, is questioning the integrity and authority of a previously unknown disciple’s acting in God’s Name.   In this case the unknown disciple is driving out demons in Jesus’ Name. In His answer, Jesus, like Moses, calls for openness to the promptings of the Spirit. We might reflect that people like the man casting out demons and Eldad and Medad, from the first reading have the child-like simplicity and outlook of the “little ones,” that Jesus reminds John (and us) to welcome, facilitate and even celebrate. Jesus promises great rewards for such openness and obedient living out of our faith. How are we doing with that?
 
Prayerfully,
Deacon Matt Wenke