Year B
Discover the deeper meaning and connections found in this week's readings, through these great commentaries written by our priests.
Explore this week's readings and hear what God is saying to us through His Word.
Find out more about how we can mark this special day in our liturgy.
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Today’s readings challenge insiders to recognize the good qualities of outsiders.
Numbers 11:25-29
On his own, Moses cannot bear the burden of guiding the whole people of Israel through the wilderness. Hence God gives him seventy elders to assist him. They will be endowed with the gift of the Holy Spirit when they gather with Moses at the Tent of Meeting. But two elders remain in the encampment and yet they are also filled with the Holy Spirit. When Joshua wishes to forbid them from prophesying, Moses answers: “If only the whole people of the Lord were prophets, and the Lord gave his Spirit to the mall.”
Moses’ wish for God’s Spirit to be widely available began to come about in the early church. At Pentecost Peter quoted the prophecy of Joel as being fulfilled: “I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh.” As Christians, we believe that we have received the Holy Spirit at our baptism and confirmation. Yet so often God’s Spirit remains dormant within us. Hence, we can pray: “Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and enkindle in them the fire of your love.”
James 5:1-6
Here James sounds like one of the Old Testament prophets when he summons the rich members of the community to examine their conduct. Just as Jesus calls us to lay up treasure in heaven rather than on earth, James warns starkly: “Your wealth is all rotting, and your clothes are eaten away by moths.” The charge against these wealthy people is that they have underpaid labourers working in their fields. Today, the economic inequalities are on a global scale. We often eat food and wear clothes produced by workers who earn a pittance for their labours. Contributing to charities like CAFOD can begin to assist those in most need. Can we consume less, so that we will be better able to help the needy?
Mark 9:38-48
Like Joshua’s complaint in the first reading from Numbers, John complains to Jesus about an outsider working miracles by using Jesus’ name. But Jesus replies: “Anyone who is not against us is for us.” If an outsider does a simple act of kindness, such as providing a cup of water to drink, he or she will be rewarded. There is no need to make enemies of those outside. In fact, there are plenty of people of goodwill, whose kindness we can appreciate.
On the other hand, Jesus sharply warns that some insiders within the community can do great harm, by seriously mistreating the weak and vulnerable. Such behaviour can cause lasting trauma to victims. Jesus does not mince his words: “Better if they were thrown into the sea with a great millstone around their neck!”
If we are to be of any help to others, we need to guard against compulsions to sin. That is why the Church warns us to avoid the occasions of sin. Instead of selfishly presuming that we are perfect, we need the help of the Holy Spirit to purify our hearts. As the psalmist says: “From presumption restrain your servant, and let it not rule me. Then I shall be blameless, clean from grave sin.”
Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
CCC 821, 1126, 1636: ecumenical dialogue
CCC 2445-2446, 2536, 2544-2547: the danger of immoderate riches
CCC 1852: jealousy
The Feast of Sts. Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, Archangels, is not celebrated today. But it might be good to remember them in some way.
If ever there was a compelling reason to sing the Entrance Antiphon, surely it is seen today. The lovely Introit of this Mass is a celebration of God’s justice and mercy. And that theme is continued in the Collect. The greatest expression of God’s omnipotence is in his mercy and reluctance to punish.
The English translation of the Collect is incorrect, having added ‘we pray’ which is not in the Latin original, and somewhat clumsy. However, the meaning is simple: Bestow upon us the abundance of your grace, that as we run to attain what you have promised, you will make us partners in the blessings of heaven.
Note: These hymns have been chosen from different sources.
Longing for light, we wait in darkness (CFE891, L883, LHON439)
A new commandment I give unto tyou (CFE4, L920, LHON133, R p 61)
Whatsoever you do (CFE799, L926, LHON726)
When I needed a neighbour (CFE800, L888, LHON730)
Where charity and love prevail (L927)
Key
CFE - Celebration Hymnal for Everyone
L – Laudate
LHON – Liturgical Hymns Old and New (Mayhew, 1999)
TCH – The Catholic Hymnbook (Gracewing)
Do you have questions about the liturgy and how we are called to participate in it? Explore how the Church councils, saints, and popes have answered this key question and many more.
Every movement of the Mass is rich in meaning but we can become over-familiar with it. Rediscover the Mass and explore how it relates to the Exodus story, where many of its rituals come from, and how it makes Jesus present to us today.
