TWENTY-SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (2024)
Readings:
Numbers 11:25-29
Psalms 19:8, 10, 12-14
James 5:1-6
Mark 9:38-43
Our first reading from the Book of Numbers might give the mistaken impression that there is a finite amount of divine “Spirit,” and when it is used up there is very little likelihood that any more is available to animate our sad and hungry world. When the Lord makes the trip from the heavens to speak to Moses, the Lord “takes some of the Spirit that was on Moses, and bestowed it on the seventy elders” in order that they might speak prophetically. It raises the question, was Moses’ ability to speak prophetically greatly diminished on account of this “sharing”? It would appear not. Yet Moses’ partner, Joshua, surely trying to protect Moses’ preeminence, discovers that two individuals (Eldad and Medad) were not with the seventy elders (although they were “on the list”?), and the Spirit, which blows where it wills, was shared with them regardless of their absence.
Eldad and Medad do what the Spirit compels – they prophesied. Informed by a young snitch this was happening, Joshua asks Moses to make them stop. But Moses shifts the focus by asking a divinely inspired question: “Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the people of the Lord were prophets! Would that the Lord might bestow his spirit on them all!” Rather than seeing the men as somehow stealing His glory, Moses saw them as God’s blessing intended to bring more glory to God. The more people who know, obey, and teach God’s Word, the more the Church is edified and God is glorified. The Church’s hierarchical structure, and the rampant growth of a negative ‘clericalism’ among the clergy, leaves the Church where Moses found the Israelites. Being priest or bishop is not sought for its privileges. Rather, it allows the open-minded and the humble to have a greater share in spreading God’s Word. No priest, no bishop, no Protestant, no Muslim, no atheist possesses any monopoly on how, or with whom, God acts.
Our story in Numbers prefigures today’s gospel from Mark. The apostle John is said to come to Jesus, saying: “Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us.” No doubt John speaks for the outrage that fills all of the apostles. They recognize themselves as privileged. How could they not feel special with such complete and constant access to the one they are convinced is the Messiah? In their actions we can almost see the clericalism which afflicts the Church – Jesus deputized us to cast out demons and preach on His behalf – who do those “others” think they are? Jesus makes it clear that someone cannot work for Him and against Him at the same time (9:39-40): “Whoever is not against us is for us.” Jesus then broadens the scope of His words to move beyond the exorcisms under discussion; God will reward all kinds of deeds done in Jesus’ name, even the simple sharing of a cup of water! God sees and remembers all things done for His glory and for the benefit of others.
The second reading from the Book of James makes it very clear that an untoward focus on the things of this world, and on things that merely benefit oneself, is not the way of a good Christian. James does not condemn wealth in and of itself. What he condemns are those who make gold into a god, and whose materialism makes them focus on all the wrong things. The road to hell is paved with good intentions, but the genuine Christian will sincerely not forget those things that are most important, and will never lead any of the “little ones” of God into sin.
It is why our gospel today ends on a gloomy note. Jesus’ inspired teaching includes a passage from today’s gospel which appears to confirm Jesus’ belief in Hell (here, Gehenna), and it is reserved for those who lead others astray. Unlike a prophetic posture which leads others to see in Jesus the very Son of God (John the Baptizer’s whole purpose in life), some deliberately try to deceive, and lead people in a direction that is entirely contrary to everything that Jesus has taught. It is for them that Hell exists. Jesus is not encouraging people to deliberately maim themselves, as though cutting off your hand would be enough to set you back on the right path. No, Jesus is saying that the hand (representing things that you handle like the riches in James), the foot (representing the places you go), and the eye (symbolizing the things that you look at) can open doors to sin. Jesus came into this world for all people, Jews as well as Gentiles, and anything that hinders one’s ability to find and to remain rooted in the Lord Jesus needs to be removed.
This would be impossible if the Spirit were not alive and well in our midst. It is the Spirit who opens our eyes and our hearts to the light that is Christ Jesus. The Spirit gives us the courage to detach ourselves from some things we think we cannot live without, to let go of the encumbrances of sin which tend to drag us down into the fires of Gehenna, to choose to surround ourselves with people who will lift us up and not bring us down. For in this difficult world in which we live, we need people who are going to help us live lives that are true, and good, and just, and wholesome, and generous, and kind, and most importantly, lives that are loving of all humankind.
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