Any One Who Does a Mighty Work in My Name
Introduction:
May the Lord Jesus continue to challenge you to live
out your call to be prophetic not only in what you say but more importantly, in
how you live your life.
We are
all called to be prophetic. Being prophetic does not mean we speak about what will
happen in the future. We are not seers. We are to be “spokespersons” for the Lord
Jesus, proclaiming GOD’s Good News in word and action. That means we, ourselves,
must know the Lord Jesus and the message that He proclaims in the name of GOD, and
we must live it out in our daily lives. We then become authentic in our lived-out
proclamation of the Gospel. People will want to know why we live our lives as disciples
of the Lord Jesus and we will speak to them both by our actions and in our words.
“Would
that all the people of the LORD were prophets!” These paraphrased words of Moses
in today’s First Reading express not only Moses’ desire but more importantly GOD’s
will. Moses says these words when two individuals [who were not in the Meeting Tent
(of GOD’s presence)] start to perform the action to which they were called. The
Responsorial Psalm remarks that the commands of the LORD are what the faithful should
seek to do. The practical James in his letter writes a scathing condemnation of
those who seek riches at the expense of the lowly and poor. In the Gospel, a few
distinct sayings of Jesus are presented for our reflection, and for our implementation,
so that we can fulfill our calling as disciples of Jesus.
First
Reading Numbers 11:25-29: If only the whole people of the Lord were prophets!
Commentary:
This
is a curious little scene, and the corresponding scene in the gospel is no less
curious. It is part of the story of Israel’s wanderings in the desert. Moses’
father-in-law wisely suggests that Moses appoint assistants to deal with all
the complaints, quarrels, and lawsuits among the people. So, some of the divine
spirit of judgment which was on Moses descends upon these seventy elders.
However, there seems to have been some sort of irregularity in the appointment
of Eldad and Medad, which led to objections even by Joshua, Moses’ faithful
servant and successor. Nevertheless, the message finally given is that the
Spirit of God is to be welcomed wherever it may be found. It is a valuable
reminder that the Spirit of God is greater than human regulations and crosses
human boundaries. The wisdom of God may be found beyond the organization of the
Church. Genuine holiness may be found also beyond the limits of the Church. We
must respect the freedom of God to give what he wills where he wills it, and we
must be prepared to learn from those who do not belong to our own tradition.
Responsorial
Psalm 19:8,10,12-14: The precepts of the Lord gladden the heart.
The psalm
today declares that GOD’s commands and precepts are perfect, trustworthy, refreshing,
wise, pure, eternal, just, and true. Those who follow and do the will of GOD show
they have accepted GOD’s calling and are blessed by GOD after their sins are forgiven.
Their actions flow from their realization of what God has done in their lives, which
leads to further blessings from GOD.
Second
Reading James 5:1-6: The Lord hears the cries of those you have cheated
Commentary:
This
is a denunciation of the selfishness of the rich in the style of the Old
Testament prophets, with a wealth of daunting imagery. This strength of
expression is somewhat surprising in the early decades of Christianity, for it
seems that wealth was not one of the temptations to deflect the early
Christians. There do seem to have been rich Christians in the community at
Corinth, but on the whole, the Christians seem to have belonged to the lower
classes and slaves. James, the presumed author of the letter, was the leader of
the Jerusalem community. The Church at Jerusalem seems to have been in chronic
financial difficulty: Paul was asked to help it out and took a collection from
the gentile Churches up to Jerusalem. In the early second century, the pagan
Celsus denounces Christians as ignorant and ill-educated. However, these
warnings are still relevant today. It is still tempting to ease cash flow by
postponing the payment of bills! The power and immunity given by wealth can
still have a corrosive influence that blinds the owners to the needs and
susceptibilities of others.
Gospel
Mark 9:38-43,45,47-48; Do not stop anyone from working a miracle in my name
Commentary:
The
gospel gives us a rich insight into two entirely separate matters, for this
part of Mark is a collection of sayings about discipleship. The first little
story tells us that we must accept good wherever we can find it, not only in
our own group and where we expect it to be. It is the same lesson that came in
the first reading. The Spirit of God is at work not only in Catholics, not only
in Christians, not only even in explicit believers. As Vatican II teaches so
strongly, the Holy Spirit is at work even in those who are seeking the Kingdom
under signs and symbols. They can be better people and better Christians than
those who sit back and do nothing, secure in the belief that they are members
of the Church!
Secondly,
the gospel gives some dire sayings about ‘scandals.’ The word so translated
means not stories about evil people or evil doings, but a trip-stone that makes
people fall over. The dire sayings are about leading other believers into evil
and about the trip-stones in ourselves, the disordered desires, that lead us
into evil. Jesus' sayings here must be taken with the utmost seriousness, but
perhaps not literally to the extent of self-mutilation.
Reflection: Do you
rejoice in the good that others do? Jesus reprimands his disciples for their
jealousy and suspicion. They were upset that someone who was not of their
company was performing good work in the name of Jesus. They even
"forbade" the man "because he was not following us". Jesus'
reply is filled with wisdom: "No one who does a mighty work in my name
will be able soon after to speak evil of me." Are we not like the
disciples when we get upset at the good deeds of others who seem to shine more
than us? Paul says that "love is not jealous... but rejoices in the
right" (1 Corinthians 13:4,6).
Love
does not envy others: Envy and jealousy, its counterpart, are sinful
because they lead us to sorrow over what should make us rejoice - namely, our
neighbor's good. The reason we may grieve over another's good is that somehow,
we see that good as lessening our own value or excellence. Envy forms when we
believe that the other person's advantage or possession diminishes or brings
disgrace to us. Envy is contrary to love. Both the object of love and the
object of envy are our neighbor's good, but by contrary movements, since love
rejoices in our neighbor's good, while envy grieves over it.
The
love of God frees us from envy and jealousy: How can we overcome envy? With the
love that God has put into our hearts through the gift of the Holy Spirit
(Romans 5:5). The Holy Spirit purifies our hearts and frees us from our
disordered passions, such as envy, jealousy, greed, and bitterness. God's love
is a generous and selfless love which is wholly oriented towards our good. The
love that God places in our hearts seeks the highest good of our neighbor.
God's love purifies and frees us from all envy and jealousy - and it compels us
to give generously, especially to those who lack what they need.
Love
gives freely and generously in-kind deeds: Everyone in need has a claim on us
because they are dear to God who created them in his own image and likeness
(Genesis 1:26-27). God created us in love for love. We are most free and happy
when we love as he loves. The love and charitable help we show to our neighbor
also expresses the gratitude we have for the abundant mercy and kindness of God
towards us. Jesus declared that any kindness shown and any help given to those
in need would not lose its reward. Jesus never refused to give to anyone in
need who asked for his help. As his disciples, we are called to be kind and
generous as he is. Are you grateful for God's mercy and kindness towards you
and are you ready to show that same kindness and generosity towards your
neighbor?
Gregory
of Nyssa (330-395 AD), an early church father wrote: "God
never asks his servants to do what is impossible. The love and goodness of his
Godhead are revealed as richly available. It is poured out like water upon all.
God furnishes to each person according to his will the ability to do something
good. None of those seeking to be saved will be lacking in this ability, given
by the one who said: 'whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you
bear the name of Christ, will by no means lose his reward'" (ON THE
CHRISTIAN MODE OF LIFE 8.1)
Those
who show kindness and charity will be greatly rewarded: Who in
their right mind would want to lose their reward and then be deprived of joy in
the end? We have been given the greatest of rewards - God himself who is
perfect love and a source of abundant life and unending happiness. Paul the
Apostle tells us that "God's love has been poured into our hearts through
the Holy Spirit" (Romans 5:5). God's love purifies our hearts and compels
us to express kindness and charity towards our neighbor who is created in the
image and likeness of God. Do you allow the love of Christ to transform your
heart so that you may treat your neighbor with loving kindness and mercy?
Avoiding
evil and the near occasion of sin: Was Jesus exaggerating when he urged
his followers to use drastic measures to avoid evil and its harmful
consequences (Mark 9:42-47)? Jesus set before his disciples the one supreme
goal in life that is worth any sacrifice, and that goal is God himself and his
will for our lives which leads to everlasting peace and happiness. Just as a
doctor might remove a limb or some part of the body in order to preserve the
life of the whole body, so we must be ready to part with anything that causes
us to sin and which leads to spiritual death.
Jesus
warns his disciples of the terrible responsibility that they must set no
stumbling block in the way of another, that is, not give offense or bad example
that might lead another to sin. The Greek word for temptation (standalone) is the
same as the English word scandal. The original meaning of scandal is a trap or
a stumbling block that causes one to trip and fall. The Jews held that it was
an unforgivable sin to teach another to sin. If we teach another to sin, he or
she, in turn, may teach still another, until a train of sin is set in motion
with no foreseeable end. The young in faith are especially vulnerable to the
bad example of those who should be passing on the faith. Do you set a good
example for others to follow, especially the young?
Lord
Jesus, fill me with your Holy Spirit that I may radiate the joy of the Gospel
to others. May your light and truth shine through me so that others may find
new life and joy in you, and freedom from sin and oppression.
Daily
Quote from the Early Church Fathers: Encouraging good works done in
Christ, by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"We
ought not to be disturbed because some who do not belong or do not yet belong
to this temple, that is, among whom God does not or does not yet dwell, perform
some works of power, as happened to the one who cast out devils in the name of
Christ (Mark 9:38, Luke 9:49). Although he was not a follower of Christ, Christ
ordered that he be allowed to continue because it gave a valuable testimony of
his name to many... The centurion Cornelius also saw the angel that was sent to
him to say that his prayers had been heard and his alms accepted (Acts 10:3-4),
even before he was incorporated into this temple by regeneration."
(excerpt from LETTER 187 TO DARDANUS 36)
The
discard pile?
“Stop
them.” —Numbers 11:28: In today’s Mass readings, several people wanted to
discard others who were different from them. Joshua wanted to discard Eldad and
Medad (Nm 11:27-28). St. John the Apostle wanted to discard those who were
ministering in Jesus’ name but weren’t in the company of the apostles (Mk
9:38). The secular culture would have us discard Jesus, a life based on faith,
restrictions on pleasure-seeking, and even the words “sin” and “holiness.”
However,
Jesus had different ideas about what was to be discarded; He wanted to discard
anything that caused people to lead others into sin (Mk 9:42-47). The author of
the book of James wanted people to discard the unjust use of money (Jas 5:2ff)
and a lifestyle of pleasure which discarded concern for the poor (Jas 5:4-6).
Pope Francis has frequently spoken against “a culture of waste,” which discards
people, in particular the marginalized.
When we
renew our Baptismal promises each year at the Easter liturgies, we renounce,
that is discard, Satan, all his works, and all his empty promises. What would
Jesus have you discard today? Are there any attitudes, sins, attachments, and
addictions He wants you to discard? Let us discard the correct things and
retain all that is of God.
Prayer: Father, may I be a good steward who
keeps exactly what You wish (Mt 13:52) and discards nothing You want me to
retain (Lk 13:9). “The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever.” —Ps 19:10. Praise
You, risen Jesus! “Absolute fullness resides in” You (Col 1:19). Alleluia!
The personal
question/action for today: Do I sense that I have a role in sharing
in the prophetic mission of Jesus – announcing the Good News to others? What is
keeping me from being more prophetic in my words and actions? To what earthly “riches”
do I still cling? To whom might I need to speak a comforting word? A disturbing
word?
Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael: Angels—messengers from God—appear frequently in Scripture, but
only Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael are named.
Michael appears in Daniel’s vision as “the great
prince” who defends Israel against its enemies; in the Book of
Revelation, he leads God’s armies to final victory over the forces of evil.
Devotion to Michael is the oldest angelic devotion, rising in the East in the
fourth century. The Church in the West began to observe a feast honoring
Michael and the angels in the fifth century.
Gabriel also makes an appearance in Daniel’s
visions, announcing Michael’s role in God’s plan. His best-known appearance is
an encounter with a young Jewish girl named Mary, who consents to bear the
Messiah.
Raphael’s activity is confined to the Old Testament
story of Tobit. There he appears to guide Tobit’s son Tobiah through a series
of fantastic adventures that lead to a threefold happy ending: Tobiah’s
marriage to Sarah, the healing of Tobit’s blindness, and the restoration of the
family fortune.
The memorials of Gabriel and Raphael were added to
the Roman calendar in 1921. The 1970 revision of the calendar joined their
individual feasts to Michael’s.
Each of the archangels performs a different mission
in Scripture: Michael protects; Gabriel announces; and Raphael guides. Earlier
belief that inexplicable events were due to the actions of spiritual beings has
given way to a scientific worldview and a different sense of cause and effect.
Yet believers still experience God’s protection, communication, and guidance in
ways that defy description. We cannot dismiss angels too lightly.