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Sunday, 27th September 2024
Dear friends,
Peace and good.
God’s gift of sending people on a mission doesn’t depend on where we are or how old we are. It comes to whoever is ready. Eldad and Medad didn’t arrive for the meeting of the seventy elders. The Spirit came to them even though they were not with everyone. God thinks differently than we do. He doesn’t limit himself to our desires. He goes where he’s needed. This reading shows us that God is free to act as he wishes. God acts differently than we do. He knows what’s best for us. Even if we don’t always understand or accept it.
Not many of us are billionaires. That can be a good thing, especially if we look at what James says about ungrateful rich people. They live in a false world, but their future is dark. Their unjust money is proof of their bad behavior. They have lived luxuriously and indulged in pleasure, and now they are facing judgment. These harsh words condemn all exploitation of others.
God doesn’t always answer our prayers the way we want, but he will hear the cries of the just, the deceived, and the vexed. He will help them change their fate. Thankfully, there is human justice and divine justice.
God teaches us that, among his people, no one has exclusive rights. No one has the exclusive right to the Spirit, the gospel, or its proclamation. We are a people of prophets. Moses was happy that the Spirit of God could speak through the seventy-two elders. Jesus did not like how the disciples were exclusive.
God can bring forth new things even through the little ones. Last week we talked about little ones. Think of Lourdes. A girl with little education helped create one of Europe’s most important places of worship. The same thing happened with the shepherds at Fátima. St. Benedict said the Spirit can speak through the youngest monks. You may have learned from their little children. The Spirit is also in them. He sometimes speaks through them in a way that touches the heart more than the words of a priest.
God doesn’t want just a few people to have his gifts. We should be proud that God gives his gifts to everyone in the Church, not just four people.
As witnesses and prophets, we must not let our actions cause others to sin. This is especially true for those who are less confident in their faith or don’t have as many resources to cope with challenges. So, it’s better to cut off a body part that causes someone to sin than to keep it and lose God’s grace. Don’t take it literally. Understand the meaning and avoid this scandal.
God loves everyone. He sees everything from a different point of view. He is happy when someone accepts his gift and uses it well. He is sad when people build barriers instead of helping each other.
Jesus reminds us of the Kingdom of God and how it affects our dignity. May we live as God wants, not because of punishment, but because we want to be more like Him. Love can overcome fear. It helps us work with others who want to fight against sin and injustice.
Your brother in faith