We are called to be disciples with practical senses. The story is told of Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson on a camping trip. As they lay sleeping one night, Holmes woke Watson and said, "Watson, look up into the sky and tell me what you see." Watson said, "I see millions of stars." Holmes asked, "And what does that tell you?" Watson replied, "Astronomically, it tells me that there are millions of galaxies and potentially billions of planets. Theologically, it tells me that God is great and that we are small and insignificant. Meteorologically, it tells me that we will have a beautiful day tomorrow. And what does it tell you?" Holmes answered, "Someone stole our tent."
Some people are great at speculative knowledge but when it comes to its implication for practical living they score zero. We see people lacking real sense. Look at the attitudes of Joshua in the first reading and the disciples John and James in the Gospel.
In the story of the Chosen people, God tells Moses to bring together seventy of the elders of the people to share the burden of the people along with him and Moses would not bear it by himself. They would share the responsibility with him. They would be God’s representative on earth and certainly assist in the ministry of leading the people to the promised land. Secondly, the reading tells us that among the seventy who were registered, Eldad and Medad stayed behind in the camp and prophesied. When Joshua, the assistant of Moses, one of his chosen men, saw this, he reported it to Moses. Moses responds to him, "Are you jealous for my sake? How I wish all God's people were prophets and that God would put his Spirit on them all!" (Numbers 11:29). Wouldn't that make the job a bit lighter? He says not to be jealous for his sake and he wished that all the Lord’s people were prophets, and that the Lord would put His Spirit in them. The point of importance is that two persons remained in the tent and they continued to do the work of the Lord.
The Gospel of today starts with the complaint against a person who was not a disciple and yet could work miracles in the name of Jesus. John who belonged to the inner circle tells Jesus how they tried to stop him and point out to him that they alone are the chosen ones and not he. Jesus also had sent the disciples on a mission where they had worked the miracles and had healed the people and cast out devils. They had received the praises for their good work. Not only did enjoy some reflected glory in being disciples of Jesus but, through his authority, they themselves were doing some of the very same things. They would have been growing in popularity and public exposure and it looked very much that they were slowly getting into a streak of vanity and arrogance. They could feel that their privileged position is no more secure. That person who was not of their group “casting out devils”. And not just driving out evil spirits but doing so in the name of Jesus. So they tried to put a stop to him. Here we carefully listen to the reply of Jesus: “You must not stop him: no one who works a miracle in my name is not likely to speak evil of me” The man in question was clearly not only using the name of Jesus, he was also producing results. He was successful in his exorcisms and people were being made free.
At this juncture Jesus explains to them who can be his disciple. There can be a silent disciple and also an active disciple, indicating that salvation is always universal. It belongs to everyone and we must take note of it: “Anyone who is not against us is for us.” God can and does use anyone to do his work. The Church has no monopoly on God’s work or on God’s truth or on God’s love or on God’s power to heal and reconcile. The work of the Kingdom is not confined only to the baptized, although it is certainly their special work. Outside of the Catholic Church there are thousands who are doing the work of God in a spirit of total sincerity and commitment.
The challenge god puts before is as follows
1. Understand the mind of God and become a disciple and the apostle today.
2. According to the second reading, who is the master of life is, it wealth or God? Remember – one who knows to count on God knows hot count.
3. The last part of the Gospel tells us be aware of how we can become a stumbling block to ourselves: Let our hands, feet and eyes not be guilty of the terrible abuses, the truly scandalous behavior. “If your hand causes you to stumble, cut if off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands and to go to hell.” We all know our human weaknesses and tendencies. Knowing them, by the grace of God we should apply our spiritual minds to overcome such weaknesses and tendencies. We should avoid what causes us to sin. We should run away from those opportunities that seek to destroy our souls. It is the sin of being judgmental that ruins us. Let us reflect upon our position towards the Lord Jesus and His Church that He has instituted on earth. We seek with all our souls, our minds, our bodies and our strength to humbly serve and obey the Lord Jesus in the Body of Christ by shining as a light in the world, and enjoy the hope that leads to eternal joy and peace in the Kingdom of God.
