We gather together today to listen to God’s word and to share in the Eucharist. In today’s first reading we hear the story of two of Moses’s friends, Eldad and Medad, who missed the gathering when the LORD bestowed the spirit of prophesy on all the elders. Yet the spirit of the Lord came to rest on them as well. Let us keep in mind all those who are not with us today, for whatever reason, and pray that the Holy Spirit may bear fruit in them as well as all of us.
Introduction to the Liturgy of the Word
Joshua stands ready to condemn those who prophesy without God’s authority, but Moses praises God’s generous gift of the spirit, no matter on whom it might come to rest. Jesus similarly tells John that anyone doing mighty deeds in his name should be welcomed. May the Holy Spirit, bestowed on us in baptism, lead us to speak and do great things.
Reflections
• It is much easier—and more enjoyable—to judge others rather than ourselves. Two esteemed figures from scripture demonstrate this phenomenon. Joshua, Moses’s second-in-command, and John, Jesus’ beloved disciple, each were quick to point fingers at folks whom they judged unfit. Moses, stop Eldad and Medad! They didn’t bother to attend the orientation. Jesus, stop that guy! He’s just a copycat. Joshua and John each had to be instructed that they should look for God’s grace in the results before making judgments. Additionally, they—and we—should look at our own features and judge them by what they lead us to do. If they lead us to sin, not virtue, they must go.
• “Whose side are you on?” is a common refrain in relationships, politics, and society. We disagree with each other and then we divide ourselves by where we stand on issues, by whom we want to associate with. Jesus strove to bridge those divides. The Church has not grown through exclusivity or competition. Recall, Moses opined, “Would that the LORD might bestow his spirit on them all!” (Numbers 11:29). Well, that’s exactly what happened. The Holy Spirit animates and sanctifies all creation, bringing us into a unity that supersedes whatever divisions we have created. Disagreement need not lead to division.
• No doubt Jesus did not want people literally cutting off their hands or feet, even though those were two of the examples he used. But like a malignant tumor in one part of the body, sometimes major surgery is required. For most of us, that surgery would involve an important part of our self. It may be our personality or our drive or our temperament or our attitudes, all of which could be healthy in others but which have grown malignant in us.
Question of the Week
What aspect of my selfhood leads me to sin? What must I do to remove that aspect?
readings of the mass
LISTEN HERE to the Audio Recordings of the Readings of Sunday, September 26th, 2021, Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time.
SELECT HERE for the Readings of Sunday, September 26th, 2021, Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time.
reflections
“Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ, amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward.”
We are made in God’s image and likeness. We tend to forget this. When you look at others, do you see the face of Jesus in them? When others look at you, do they see the face of Jesus in you? When we realize that all lives matter to God, then gratitude and generosity become easier.
Why? Because that’s the way we are made! We are one Body of Christ; when one of us is hurting, all of us feel the pain.
"What are you looking for?", Christ asked of his disciples.
Are you new or have been away from the Church? Are you Catholic and have not received the Sacraments?
We welcome and invite you to LEARN MORE about the faith that Jesus Christ founded.
