Nothing is reasonable enough for hell
1. No Monopoly on the Spirit
2. Many Gifts, One Spirit
Introduction
1. No Monopoly on the Spirit
How easily we become suspicious of those who are different from us, particularly people of other religions. He or she is a Moslem or a Jew or a Protestant – or a foreigner. For some, perhaps many, this is enough to discredit that person or the good he or she does. Here comes Jesus, whose heart beats for all people, and he tells us to be open-minded and to recognize all the good there is in people and their deeds, whoever they are. The same Spirit is working in us who works in all who do good. Moses wished, in the 1st Reading, that all God’s people were prophets. Let the Lord open our minds today.
2. Many Gifts, One Spirit
“America First!” A strong curse of humanity is its clannishness: my family or clan first, and the others do not count; my country above all, my tribe or race and not the rest, my social clique and I look down on the rest; even my religion, for the others are heretics or pagans. Hence wars, rivalries, condemnations. Where is the universality of the Church? Do we accept the Spirit working everywhere? That is what Jesus wants us to do. Let us ask him in this Eucharist to open our minds and hearts to all and to recognize his Spirit doing good wherever people seek what is right and just, whether they know it or not.
First Reading: No Monopoly on God’s Gifts!
The Spirit of God inspired not only Moses but also others. God’s gifts are for the good of all, not to be jealously guarded by a few.
1 Reading Numbers 11:25-29
The LORD came down in the cloud and spoke to Moses.
Taking some of the spirit that was on Moses,
the LORD bestowed it on the seventy elders;
and as the spirit came to rest on them, they prophesied.
Now two men, one named Eldad and the other Medad,
were not in the gathering but had been left in the camp.
They too had been on the list, but had not gone out to the tent;
yet the spirit came to rest on them also,
and they prophesied in the camp.
So, when a young man quickly told Moses,
“Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp, ”
Joshua, son of Nun, who from his youth had been Moses’ aide, said,
“Moses, my lord, stop them.”
But Moses answered him,
“Are you jealous for my sake?
Would that all the people of the LORD were prophets!
Responsorial Psalm 19:8, 10, 12-13, 14
R. (9a) The precepts of the Lord are right, they gladden the heart.
The law of the LORD is perfect,
refreshing the soul;
the decree of the LORD is trustworthy,
giving wisdom to the simple.
R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.
The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever;
the ordinances of the LORD are true,
all of them just.
R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.
Though your servant is careful of them,
very diligent in keeping them,
Yet who can detect failings?
Cleanse me from my unknown faults!
R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.
From wanton sin especially, restrain your servant;
let it not rule over me.
Then shall I be blameless and innocent
of serious sin.
R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.
Second Reading: Riches are a Responsibility
In no uncertain terms, James warns the rich in goods and talents that on the day of judgment their possessions will testify against them if they have not been used well for others.
2 Reading James 5:1-6
Come now, you rich, weep and wail over your impending miseries.
Your wealth has rotted away, your clothes have become moth-eaten,
your gold and silver have corroded,
and that corrosion will be a testimony against you;
it will devour your flesh like a fire.
You have stored up treasure for the last days.
Behold, the wages you withheld from the workers
who harvested your fields are crying aloud;
and the cries of the harvesters
have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts.
You have lived on earth in luxury and pleasure;
you have fattened your hearts for the day of slaughter.
You have condemned;
you have murdered the righteous one;
he offers you no resistance.
Alleluia John 17:!7ba
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Your word, O Lord, is truth;
consecrate us in the truth.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel: Appreciate the Good Others Do
Jesus teaches his disciples to appreciate the good done by others, whoever they are, and never to give scandal.
Gospel Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48
At that time, John said to Jesus,
“Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name,
and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us.”
Jesus replied, “Do not prevent him.
There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name
who can at the same time speak ill of me.
For whoever is not against us is for us.
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.
“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin,
it would be better for him if a great millstone
were put around his neck
and he were thrown into the sea.
If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off.
It is better for you to enter into life maimed
than with two hands to go into Gehenna,
into the unquenchable fire.
And if your foot causes you to sin, cut if off.
It is better for you to enter into life crippled
than with two feet to be thrown into Gehenna.
And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out.
Better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into Gehenna,
where ‘their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.'”
Commentary
Have you heard of the parish that held a funeral service for itself? The people were forever complaining to the parish priest that the parish was very dead. “Very well,” said he one Sunday, “since everyone agrees that the parish is dead, we should hold a funeral for it and lay it to rest with Christian dignity!” On the following Sunday, there in the center of the sanctuary was a coffin, with six candles lighting beside it. There was also a wreath, inscribed with the words, “From your devoted parishioners.” There was a lot of puzzlement in the pews. After the homily, the priest said, “According to the custom of the parish, I now invite you all to come up and pay your final respects to the deceased.” One by one the people came up and peered into the coffin, and then returned to their places, showing signs of shock at the death of their parish. Indeed. In the coffin was a mirror, and each parishioner (beginning with the parish priest) was able to recognize his or her own face as the face of the dead parish!
Blessing
It was already the wish of Moses
that the whole people of God
could be a prophetic people
inspired by God’s Spirit.
Christ made us a people
filled with his Holy Spirit.
May this Spirit guide us
to renew this world
and may we recognize him at work
in all the good done by people.
May almighty God bless you all:
the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. R/ Amen.
May Christ fill you with his Spirit
to keep you united in love.
R/ Thanks be to God.