TWENTY-SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (B)

READINGS AT MASS

Num. 11:25-29

Psalm 19

James 5:1-6

Mk 9:38-43, 45, 47-48

Theme: DO NOT PREVENT HIM

Dear friends in Christ, N'wokafu YESU KRISTO... 

In today's First Reading, the Spirit of God went far beyond comfort to meet Eldad and Medad, who were outside the camp, and they prophesied. Joshua asked that they be stopped but Moses' response indicated that they would rather not try to restrict the Spirit of God. It is for our benefit that the Spirit and power of God should encounter no boundaries or limitations whatsoever as He moves. 

In the Gospel, John, also tried to stop a man who drove out demons in the name of Jesus Christ, because the fellow did not belong to the immediate circle of Jesus' disciples. Jesus Christ, however, asked John to allow him; quoting a basic principle of life to make His point: "He who is not against us is for us." Jesus went on to caution those whose actions might prevent or scandalize "the little ones." The Christian community and the Christian message must not prevent but recognize and accept. We must recognize and accept the effect and the working of the Holy Spirit outside the immediate circle of the self, the family, and the Church community.

Beloved in Christ, the Spirit of God continues to move and touch people outside the "normal gathering" and this is the joy of the gospel for us sinners. It is a good thing to know that our God does not reject the outcast, the unworthy, and those considered 'outsiders'. He does not forget the forgotten. Whether or not you belong, in the eyes of men, His Spirit can reach you wherever you are. This fundamental truth about God is also the mission of the Christian Church. 

A Christian, as an agent of evangelization in the world, must be open-minded, friendly, and accommodating. A narrow-minded person cannot be a good Christian. An extremely conservative and narrow-minded Church, a closed and overprotective family, and a myopic Christian turn to protect its domain/comfort zone. This kills and destroys faith. It is demeaning to the 'outsider' and tries to 'monopolize' Jesus Christ and the Spirit of God.

Like Moses and Jesus Christ, we must rather desire that not some of us, but all the people of the world be "prophets." Christianity and its mission of evangelization demands we make new and 'crazy' friends having Jesus in mind. The world will be a better place if we redirect the energy we use in classifying, judging, and stopping others into making friends.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus Christ, it is your wish that the Spirit moves wherever He wills. May I not be an obstacle to the work of the Holy Spirit in my life and around me. Amen.

May God bless you.

-Rev. Fr. Kenneth Debre

Sunday, September 29, 2024.

Holy Rosary Parish, Hohoe.