Breaking Open the Word
26th Sunday of Ordinary Time
September 29, 2024
Introduction
Readings:
Numbers 11:25-29
Psalm 19:8, 10, 12-14
James 5:1-6
Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48
Introduction
There is a straight line from our first reading about Moses to our gospel about Jesus.
The first reading from the book of Numbers chapter 11 starts at verse 25. But to get the background to the story read from the beginning of the chapter. The Israelites were complaining about many things, frustrating both Moses and God. When Moses told God this misery was just too much for him, God told Moses to select 70 wise and respected elders to help him administer to the people. This was an early type for the later administration of Christ’s Church by the apostles. Read Acts 6:1-7 for a similar situation where 7 deacons were appointed to serve the early Church.
There is a trend particularly in young people who say they are spiritual but not religious. But in studying the Bible, God intended a structure to worship Him. Early on the Catholic faith built an ordained ministry hierarchy of bishops, priests, and deacons. Even in Moses’ time, God singled out the tribe of Levi to be the priests who He set apart for liturgical service.
When the scripture says they prophesied, it is not in the sense of foretelling the future, but of speaking in enraptured enthusiasm. And Moses wishes for everyone to be filled with the same Spirit.
Jesus says “The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” (John 3:8) This explains both the first reading with Moses and the Gospel story with Jesus. The men who were prophesying outside the camp, and man driving out demons in Jesus’ name were inspired with the Holy Spirit. And so it is in our times; the Holy Spirit works in us in unknown ways, and when you find yourself speaking words and afterwards you wonder how you got such wisdom, you know it was the Holy Spirit working through you. And it comes and goes like the wind.
In the second reading, James points out that you cannot take it with you. When you die, only your soul remains, and within it with your memory, desires, thoughts, and lifetime actions. They will all be present for your particular judgment. Particularly on how you have treated your fellow mankind.
Note that James uses the ancient title for God, “LORD of Hosts”. This name appears 261 times in the Old Testament. It is one of the highest names for God, literally the leader of heavenly armies. The prophet Jeremiah used this title 71 times, speaking God’s words, so this seems the preferred name God chose- “The word of the LORD came to Jeremiah… Thus says the LORD of Hosts…” (Jeremiah 49:34-35).
Gospel Explained
The disciples might have been frustrated when they saw a man successfully casting out demons when they had just very publicly failed to heal a boy, and because Jesus said they did not have enough faith (Mark 9:18). No wonder John wanted him to stop. But who was this man? We could reasonably imagine that this was one of John the Baptist’s disciples who, at John’s command, turned and believed in Jesus. Or he was one of the seventy whom Christ had sent out and who, after he had fulfilled his commission (and cast out demons), had retired from accompanying the other disciples. But he still held fast to his faith in Christ, and the influence of Jesus still continued with him so that he could cast out demons. To say to a demon in a possessed person- “In the Name of Jesus, come out of this person!” they had to have a genuine belief in Jesus, even if they weren’t a direct follower.
St. John is showing a bit of an exclusive nature and Jesus had to teach him some humility. Jesus rebuked John in the same way Moses rebuked Joshua. There is no room for jealousy in the spiritual warfare necessary to advance the Kingdom of the Messiah.
First Jesus talks about the reward in heaven for anyone helping any of His followers, even so small as giving a cup of water. Then he flips it, and talks about the condemnation for those who would lead someone astray. He might still be holding the little child from the immediate previous passage, but He is now also referring to His followers, “these little ones who believe in me”, as God would consider us His children too. The punishment for leading anyone astray, especially an innocent person, will be a horrible condemnation.
If the millstone around the neck and thrown into the sea wasn’t enough of a punishment, Jesus then details scandal and an extreme prevention for it. For a sinner, the eye can gaze where it should not. The hand can reach where it shouldn’t. The foot can take you places you dare not go. These are all self-inflicted. Could Jesus be more clear of what He think of sin, of earthly life pleasures compared to eternal life in heaven or hell? Remember, when we die there are only the four last things: death, judgment, heaven, and hell. You don’t keep your body or any of your earthly possessions.
Today's Theme
Today’s theme is unity of the followers of Christ.
Jesus says anyone who is not against us is for us. On the other hand, He has quite a severe punishment for leading another to sin. He said to His disciples: “Things that cause sin will inevitably occur, but woe to the person through whom they occur” (Luke 17:1).
Jesus wishes for all His followers to work together to grow the kingdom, as He prayed to the Father- “I pray... for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they all may be one” (John 17:20-21). It is unfortunate that there are so many different “denominations” of the Christian faith. But no matter, we must all work together to grow the Christian faith.
Faith and grace produce good works, which gives us evidence that we are blessed by God. Words are not enough to reveal the true state of the human heart; rather, faith expressed in deeds of charity reflects the inner good of the person. Those who possess right beliefs but do not live out the gospel message do not exhibit a true picture of Christ. While salvation comes solely from the grace of God, good works are a necessary cooperation with the gratuitous grace of faith” (CCC 2005)
St. Paul says- “Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us exercise them: if prophecy, in proportion to the faith; if ministry, in ministering; if one is a teacher, in teaching; if one exhorts, in exhortation; if one contributes, in generosity; if one is over others, with diligence; if one does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be sincere; hate what is evil, hold on to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; anticipate one another in showing honor. (Romans 12:6-8)
We will be known by our works. Jesus says “you are the light of the world… your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Heavenly Father.” (Matt 5:14,16) We will all grow the Kingdom of God by working together.
Theme in our Life Today
The extreme part of today’s gospel is difficult for many readers. To take this story literally is to go counter to the works Jesus performed. Everywhere He went, He was a healer. He gave sight to the blind, he restored hands that were withered, he healed the lame so they could walk again. So how do we take this parable? Sin is more of a matter of the heart, not of a limb or organ. Even a person without eyes and limbs can still sin in the mind and heart. Jesus knows how terrible hell is, He talked more about it than anyone else in the Bible, and it’s never a pretty view. This eternal worm, this unquenchable fire, is a continual remorse and reflection of the soul upon its own willful sins, a woeful misery. The message of Jesus was clear: knowing how terrible hell is, it is worth any sacrifice to avoid. We can’t think of the kingdom of God just in the context of reward; we must also think in terms of sacrifice.
I’ll share a true personal story of sacrifice.
Once when I was teaching 6th grade Religious Ed here, the kids were rowdy that day and I was frustrated to maintain control of my class, which was in the great hall. The Holy Spirit took over when, in my desperation, I opened the Bible to verse 42 of today’s gospel and started reading loudly, over their chatter. Of course these were shocking words, and I quickly got their attention. Then I explained to them that the very next day this room would be filled with people attending an AA meeting. These people had all had a destructive alcohol problem, and by their very presence coming to the meeting they had made the decision to cut off all drinking of any alcohol drinks, without exception. And those people have to renew that decision every single day, 1 day at a time, for the rest of their lives.
Then I explained that this was what Jesus was saying with such harsh words: if you really want to get into heaven, sometimes you may have to take extreme measures such as those AA people did to stop doing sinful things by abusing their bodies. Cut off, not even a sip, and for some not even Eucharistic wine. But with God there’s always a twist. Those people who chose to cut off the destructive part of their lives, they get their eyes back, to see a better world and truly see the ones who love them. They get their hands and feet back; without the alcohol consuming their lives they are freed to do the work of God’s kingdom, to do good in the world. My young students calmed down and I finished the lesson. Those words that day weren’t mine, they came right from the Holy Spirit, and I wonder if those kids remember that day whenever they hear today’s Gospel. I do.
Prepare for Sunday
Ponder the words of St. Peter’s first letter on resisting sin and following the Holy way to God:
“Beloved, do not be surprised that a trial by fire is occurring among you, as if something strange were happening to you. But rejoice to the extent that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that when his glory is revealed you may also rejoice exultantly.
If you are insulted for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let no one among you be made to suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as an intriguer.
But whoever is made to suffer as a Christian should not be ashamed but glorify God because of the Name. For it is time for the judgment to begin with the household of God; if it begins with us, how will it end for those who fail to obey the gospel of God?” (1 Peter 4:12-17)
Amen.