Jealousy Leads To Destruction ~ by Ronnie Archer
Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
The first and second readings today have much in common. They both give us a story of how those who felt that they were given "authority" over others, displayed a spirit of jealousy when the Spirit of God came upon those who they felt were not "worthy," also prophesied.
The Numbers reading tells how the Lord bestowed some of the Spirit from Moses on the seventy elders, and they prophesied; as well as two others who were not in that gathering. They had been on the list but had not gone to the tent; yet the Spirit came to rest on them also, causing them to prophesy. When Joshua heard the young man tell Moses this, Joshua told Moses, to stop them. Moses' answer to him was, "Are you jealous for my sake?"
In the reading from James, we hear the warnings about how life of some of us on earth is lived, placing priority on material possessions of this world, which will eventually corrode and become worthless.
The Gospel of Mark, similar to the first reading tells of the jealousy of the disciple upon seeing someone "driving out demons in Jesus' name, and trying to prevent him because he does not follow us." To which Jesus replied, "Do not prevent him. There is no one who performs a might deed in My name who can, at the same time speak ill of me."
Jesus warns us of jealousy and intolerance of others. Jealousy, selfishness and impatience lead to destruction. We, as humans, are "born" to selfishness and jealousy. God means for us to share and be "community" for each other. Following the path of jealousy will divide a community.
To "Cut off the part that causes us to sin" in the reading sends us an urgent message about where we might be headed if we do not heed Jesus' warnings. It is so important that we realize that we need to do whatever we have to do to remove sin from where it begins, the heart, and we can overcome these sinful traits by praying, following the Word of God, by sharing, being patient and tolerant of each other.
Amen.
The first and second readings today have much in common. They both give us a story of how those who felt that they were given "authority" over others, displayed a spirit of jealousy when the Spirit of God came upon those who they felt were not "worthy," also prophesied.
The Numbers reading tells how the Lord bestowed some of the Spirit from Moses on the seventy elders, and they prophesied; as well as two others who were not in that gathering. They had been on the list but had not gone to the tent; yet the Spirit came to rest on them also, causing them to prophesy. When Joshua heard the young man tell Moses this, Joshua told Moses, to stop them. Moses' answer to him was, "Are you jealous for my sake?"
In the reading from James, we hear the warnings about how life of some of us on earth is lived, placing priority on material possessions of this world, which will eventually corrode and become worthless.
The Gospel of Mark, similar to the first reading tells of the jealousy of the disciple upon seeing someone "driving out demons in Jesus' name, and trying to prevent him because he does not follow us." To which Jesus replied, "Do not prevent him. There is no one who performs a might deed in My name who can, at the same time speak ill of me."
Jesus warns us of jealousy and intolerance of others. Jealousy, selfishness and impatience lead to destruction. We, as humans, are "born" to selfishness and jealousy. God means for us to share and be "community" for each other. Following the path of jealousy will divide a community.
To "Cut off the part that causes us to sin" in the reading sends us an urgent message about where we might be headed if we do not heed Jesus' warnings. It is so important that we realize that we need to do whatever we have to do to remove sin from where it begins, the heart, and we can overcome these sinful traits by praying, following the Word of God, by sharing, being patient and tolerant of each other.
Amen.
Labels: ordinary time, sundayreflection
posted by mary ann @ Monday, September 28, 2009
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