Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year B 29th September 2024.
Lectionary Readings: Numbers 11 v4-29; Psalm 19 v7-14; James 5 v13-20; Mark 9 v38-50.
For and Against.
John said, “Teacher, we saw a man using your name to force demons out of people. But he was not one of us, and we told him to stop.” Jesus said to his disciples: “Don’t stop him! No one who performs miracles in my name is going to say something bad about me the next minute. Anyone who isn’t against us is for us.” (Mark 9 v38-40).
Jesus was pleased to hear evidence that the Spirit was equipping a believer unknown to him and his disciples.
Jesus knew that for God’s kingdom to be established on earth as it is in heaven that the population of the kingdom would have to increase exponentially.
If the Good News remained a ‘secret’ known only to a select few then Jesus’ mission would fail and be quickly forgotten, a footnote in the history of the Jews.
Jesus was keen to encourage believers to respond to the prompting of the Spirit and to share God’s love with those they met in the course of their ordinary, everyday lives.
No previous experience or qualifications are needed to be a disciple. Jesus taught his followers to have faith in God’s plan to reconcile all creation to himself and to have a willingness to love others.
James, (brother of Jesus), encouraged members of the early church to pray and praise God.
“If you are having trouble, you should pray. And if you are feeling good, you should sing praises.(James 5 v13).
In the passage from the Book of Numbers, Moses is lamenting the negative mood of the Israelites, their constant moaning and his inability to please them. Moses turns to God for help as he despairs of his calling as a lone prophet.
God asks Moses to select seventy leaders, and God equips them with his Spirit. (Numbers v24,25b)
Joshua, Moses’ assistant and closest ally, expresses his concern for Moses, about the possible loss of status as leader/prophet, now that others have been appointed to help him. Moses responds by saying, “I wish the Lord would give his Spirit to all his people so everyone could be a prophet.” (v29b). Unknown to Moses at the time, that was a part of God’s plan for his people in due course.
Let us pray with the Psalmist as he acknowledges that God equips his people, by way of his Law and his Spirit.
“The law of the Lord is perfect, it gives new life. His teachings last for ever and they give wisdom to ordinary people. (Psalm 19 v 7)
By your teachings, Lord, I am warned, and by obeying them, I am greatly rewarded. (v11).
Let my words and my thoughts (and my actions) be pleasing to you Lord, because you are my mighty rock and my protector.” (v14). Amen.
Bible quotations are taken from the Contemporary English Version.