September 29
Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
“The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.”
Readings
Reflection
Who has the right to minister in God’s name? The Book of Numbers considers that question in today’s first reading. The reading begins with the Lord coming down in a cloud and speaking with Moses. The Lord took some of the spirit that was on Moses and shared it with seventy selected elders of the community. Those elders began to prophesy!
Two of the seventy men, Eldad and Medad remained back at the camp and were not present with the others. However, although they were in a different location, the spirit came down upon them as well, and they too began to prophesy! Upset at witnessing these men prophesying, Joshua, who was an aide of Moses, ran to Moses and told Moses to insist that they stop! Moses refused, saying, “Would that all the people of the Lord were prophets!”
The message for us is that the spirit of God comes down on those whom he has chosen. They may be clerics, faith formation teachers, or other members of the laity, but no matter who they happen to be, God is active within them and the spirit may be speaking through them. The spirit may even be speaking through you!
This is a great responsibility, because those, to whom the spirit chooses to come down, must ensure that they only speak what the spirit inspires within them, and not their own opinions, viewpoints, or other fallacy.
Let us always be open to the spirit, remaining humble servants of the Lord Jesus Christ!
Peace,
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