The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to contemplate the consequences of envy and self righteousness to our expression of compassion and care for others.
Consider a change of course
In the reading from the Book of Numbers, Moses tells Joshua: ‘Would that all the Lord’s people were prophets, and that the Lord would put his spirit on them.!’
* [11:25] They prophesied: in the sense, not of foretelling the future, but of speaking in enraptured enthusiasm. Such manifestations are mentioned in the early days of Hebrew prophecy (1 Sm 10:10–12; 19:20–21; Jl 3:1) and in the first years of the Church (Acts 2:6–11, 17; 19:6; 1 Cor 12–14).1
Psalm 19 praises God’s Glory in Creation and the Law.
* [Psalm 19] The heavenly elements of the world, now beautifully arranged, bespeak the power and wisdom of their creator (Ps 19:2–7). The creator’s wisdom is available to human beings in the law (Ps 19:8–11), toward which the psalmist prays to be open (Ps 19:12–14). The themes of light and speech unify the poem.2
The reading from the Letter of James contains a warning to rich oppressors.
* [5:1–6] Continuing with the theme of the transitory character of life on earth, the author points out the impending ruin of the godless. He denounces the unjust rich, whose victims cry to heaven for judgment on their exploiters (Jas 5:4–6). The decay and corrosion of the costly garments and metals, which symbolize wealth, prove them worthless and portend the destruction of their possessors (Jas 5:2–3).3
In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus teaches about another exorcist and avoiding temptations to sin.
* [9:38–41] Jesus warns against jealousy and intolerance toward others, such as exorcists who do not follow us. The saying in Mk 9:40 is a broad principle of the divine tolerance. Even the smallest courtesies shown to those who teach in Jesus’ name do not go unrewarded.4
Eileen Burke-Sullivan shares from her experience that there are no boundaries on Divine Love. Furthermore, it cannot be earned or manipulated. It is freely and infinitely given.
The amazing process of unlearning the dynamics of budgeted love and embracing instead the stunning generosity of limitless compassion as pure and undeserved gift, is a huge challenge. When I think of Jesus gazing on the disciples with this kind of love after they have been sniping behind his back or cutting each other down I realize why it is so difficult for us to cooperate with God in overcoming racism or various forms of categorization of human superiority (such as money, education, or talent). While we engage in untruths, we project the lies we tell ourselves onto others, while we profess care, we ignore; while we seem to admire others, we think of ways “to be better than” they are. We even take terms for core spiritual values that build up the Reign of God and use them as weapons to overcome God’s Reign… If my talent makes me think I am better, it will drive me outside of God’s love (Gehenna). It is better to give up such a gift than to end up in hell for the applause and admiration it brought me.5
Don Schwager quotes “Encouraging good works done in Christ, “ by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"We ought not be disturbed because some who do not belong or do not yet belong to this temple, that is, among whom God does not or does not yet dwell, perform some works of power, as happened to the one who cast out devils in the name of Christ (Mark 9:38, Luke 9:49). Although he was not a follower of Christ, Christ ordered that he be allowed to continue because it gave a valuable testimony of his name to many... The centurion Cornelius also saw the angel that was sent to him to say that his prayers had been heard and his alms accepted (Acts 10:3-4), even before he was incorporated into this temple by regeneration." (excerpt from LETTER 187, TO DARDANUS 36)6
The Word Among Us Meditation on Numbers 11:25-29 comments that like Joshua, we sometimes want to make a script for how God can work in people’s lives. Moses teaches us to be open when the Lord works in unexpected ways.
Again, like the disciples, we might think that things should be done a certain way. Then we feel threatened when people don’t follow our “script.” But as Jesus said, “Whoever is not against us is for us” (Mark 9:40). He was trying to broaden the disciples’ view so that they could be free to recognize and follow the working of his Spirit in the future. That attitude became extremely important when Gentiles started believing in Jesus.7
Friar Jude Winkler connects the direction of Moses in Numbers to Jesus' comments on an exorcist working in His name. The Jewish exaggeration in the Gospel nevertheless generated a severe response by Origen. James calls us to share and build up spiritual treasure. Friar Jude describes the history of the Gehenna alluded to by Jesus.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, comments that a practice of contemplation is one of the surest ways to develop the virtue of compassion—for both ourselves and others. Actually, what is happening is we are letting God gaze at us, in the way only God can gaze—with infinite mercy, love, and compassion. God initiates a positive gaze, which now goes in both directions. Unfortunately, we seldom allow that to happen. Decades ago, Episcopal priest, Matthew Fox, identified what it has cost us and the universe to have lost this mutually loving gaze with God.
Compassion is everywhere. Compassion is the world’s richest energy source. Now that the world is a global village we need compassion more than ever—not for altruism’s sake, nor for philosophy’s sake or theology’s sake, but for survival’s sake.8
On the World Day of Migrants and Refugees, we are invited to assess our care and compassion in response to modern prophets of the need for God’s love.
References
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