The Lord took some of the spirit that was on Moses and bestowed it on the seventy elders. To top this up, two men weren’t even in the gathering and the spirit came to rest on them as well. Why did Moses not resent this? Joshua did. He asked Moses to stop Eldad and Medad from prophesying. But Moses knew his place from the very beginning. He told Joshua, “Are you jealous for my sake?” Moses did not feel diminished. He was not insecure. It just shows he was truly serving God.
The second reading may sound a bit harsh but it is what it is. James was chastising the rich people who did not make good use of their wealth but instead abused the poor. They were forewarned. We are forewarned. The gifts and blessings we receive from God must be properly utilised.
In the Gospel today, Jesus ordered His disciples to let a man work miracles in His name even though the man wasn’t “one of them.” Good works and miraculous deeds cannot be monopolised by any individual or group. We are all God’s instruments. God’s grace is working in us and through us that is why we are able to produce good fruits.
Jesus also reminded His disciples not to cause the little ones to stumble or else, there will be a severe consequence. Sometimes we don’t realise that our lack of active love forces people to stumble. We find it so easy to judge others because of their mistakes not holding ourselves responsible for their inability to learn from those mistakes. If we will learn to truly love and care for each other, for sure, more crimes can be prevented. Indeed, there is no single solution to the world’s problems. But we can always start with a cup of water, little acts of kindness.
If we will take God’s Word literally, we will all be missing parts of our body. Jesus challenges His disciples to be decisive and firmly resolved in breaking away from the deadly pit of sin. The key word is STOP, no excuses and no bargaining. Left to ourselves, it is impossible. We need God. We need His grace. Believe that God’s grace is always enough for us. Let us, with humble hearts constantly ask Him for the grace to confidently conquer evil, and the grace to make our love active and effective.
Blessings,
Fr Gilbert
