Homilies
Twenty–sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
October 1, 2006
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What’s the Meaning?
The readings of the Mass for the Twenty–sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time contrast two mindsets of Christian leadership: the magnanimous and the petty.
In the first reading, Moses is the magnanimous one and Joshua the petty. Moses has just passed on the spirit of prophecy to certain select members of the community. This was all done very formally in the Tent of Meeting, but two of the elders didn’t bother to show up (or perhaps were not invited by Joshua). Much to Joshua’s chagrin, however, the two begin to prophecy anyway. Joshua immediately complains to Moses: “My lord Moses, stop them!”
But Moses takes the opportunity to instruct Joshua (the same Joshua who is soon to take over the leadership of all Israel). Moses wants Joshua to understand that the role of Israel’s leader is not to try to control God’s action but rather to facilitate it, letting his loving mercy flow wherever it wills. Hence Moses responds to Joshua’s complaining with a rebuke: “Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the Lord’s people were prophets, and that the Lord would put his spirit on them!”
The event in today’s Gospel is amazingly similar. This time, however, it is John the Beloved complaining to Jesus: “Teacher we saw a man casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.” Like Moses rebuked Joshua, Jesus rebukes John: “Do not stop him… For he that is not against us is for us.”
Then Jesus takes the lesson a step further. John is soon to be a bishop of the Church, and Jesus wants him to realize that it is a grievous sin to scandalize the “little ones” whose hearts are enkindled with the fire of God’s love. He warns John: ‘If any of you put a stumbling–block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea.”
Both Joshua and John really believe. In fact, they are zealous for the faith. But both are warned against the sin of pride and to not stifle the action of the Holy Spirit. Who are they to decide through whom God will direct the light of the Holy Spirit? “I will show mercy on whom I will show mercy,” sayeth the Lord. (Exodus 3:19)
In the Epistle today, Saint James is warning his flock against a sin that comes later in the chain of sins. He is speaking of a man who has wallowed in the sin of pride for so long that he has now all but lost the faith. This man is no longer able to look beyond this world in his quest for happiness, he is therefore searching for it (in vain) in the things of this world. Hence, he is striving for wealth and luxury and, in the process, cheating people.
What’s the Message?
The Epistle today serves almost as a corollary to the main message in today’s readings. The main message is to the leaders of the Church: bishops, pastors, fathers of families. The message is clear: your role as a leader in a Christian community is not to control and direct the action of the Holy Spirit, but rather to simply facilitate his action and help your flock recognize it.
You have your way of thinking, but don’t let your small thoughts hinder the magnanimity of the Holy Spirit: “If your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out.” You have your customs, but don’t let your sterile habits hinder the generative power of the Holy Spirit: “If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off.”
Walk into any diocese and you will find Christians working against other Christians. Conservatives fighting Liberals. Traditionalists fighting Moderns.
This petty fighting is not of God. This is what the readings are telling us today. Bishops, priests, fathers of families, it is your job to be an example of magnanimity, not pettiness. Reflect on your complaints and criticisms of other communities or other men of God. Is it not the case that your complaining stems from your pride? Or are you better than Joshua and John the Beloved, whom Jesus himself rebuked: “It would be better for you if a great millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea than if you were to put a stumbling–block before one of these little ones.”
Yes, the message is clear: Be very very careful when you find yourself trying to suppress or harm the work of little ones who claim to be facilitating the work of the Holy Spirit. Reflect as to why you desire such work suppressed. Unless you are better than Joshua or John, it is probably because of your pride.
What’s the Response?
A good response to today’s readings is to do violent action to yourself and then to pray for humility.
“If your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out.” You may think you are able to see through whom the Holy Spirit ought to be working, but pride obscures the vision. Oftentimes the Holy Spirit works in ways we can’t imagine. So, if you find yourself criticizing (or actively working to suppress or even harm) different parishes, communities, or movements in the Church, stop. Do whatever it takes, but stop. For a whole month, just stop.
Then, during that month, pray for humility. And pray that your heart may be enkindled with the fire of his love.
We can begin by directing our prayer to our heavenly Father as we join with the priest in today’s Opening Prayer of the Mass:
Father,
you show your almighty power
in your mercy and forgiveness.
Continue to fill us with your gifts of love.
Help us to hurry toward the eternal life you promise
and come to share in the joys of your kingdom.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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Contribution by Brother Anthony Myers
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