26th Sun. in Ordinary Time, Cycle B, Year 2. October 1, 2006

Scripture: Numbers 11:25-29. Psalm 19:8.10-14. James 5:1-6. Mark 9:38-43,47-48.

Our readings for this Sunday are extremely strong and demanding. There are some difficult lines in James and the Gospel of Mark that force us to evaluate our discipleship and the cost of following Jesus. We have to remember that for Mark, the Gospel is a Gospel of the Cross in all of its starkness. In summing up some of the demands that hit me, I found the following: we are to be prophetic in our calling even though we may not think we are nor may not want to be. Two of the followers of Moses even though outside the camp were given the spirit of prophecy just as the 70 were within the camp. Joshua learns a lesson that God is not a respecter of persons preferring one over another. We are to be generous and not trust in our riches whether they be our financial resources or our natural talents. James has been strong on the subject of justice and love for the stranger, widow, orphan, and the poor. It continues today in what he says about riches. And Jesus is even more emphatic when he tells us to accept those who are not of our community and yet are doing good things for others. The gifts of God are without repentance as Paul tells us. We are even to rid ourselves of those things within our bodies that cause us to be selfish and to sin. We simply do not have it made by saying we are Christian. We need to follow Jesus on the way of the Cross. All of the lessons are powerful and make us recoil today, but they are the inspired words of God given to us for reflection and action. All of us are called to holiness no matter who we are or what religion we embrace for the Creator and our God is all holy.

I saw an example of this in the newspaper this morning which was talking about a football coach I know and who had to challenge one of his talented but cocky freshman football players who has to take the place of a senior who suffered a broken leg. The player had everything going for him in High School and had what we call "an attitude" of being better than the rest including the coach. The coach called him in for a "heart to heart" talk and laid down the law and plans for the games and for the whole team. Fortunately, this young man had enough sense to listen and to accept what the coach said even though he had to swallow his pride about how great he is. He will be a better player because of this. He also has to realize that he will be reading the newspaper about this meeting he had with his coach so the eyes of the fans are also upon him. Tough challenge similar to what the Gospel is saying to us. Of course, this is on a lower level of sports and not the values of holiness of life, but there are some similarities in what the coach is calling him to do and what Jesus is calling us to do.

Therefore, we listen to Moses as Joshua did. We accept that others can be followers of our leader Moses or Jesus without being of the same nationality, race, or religion. We are to listen to the sound advice of Moses and Jesus and the Psalmist. Our talents and riches are for the good of the community and not for our self praise or aggrandisement. We are to share with the poor and the homeless in some ways that are possible for us to do and not just talk about. Yes, today the calls of the Lord are very tough,but that is what the Gospel is all about and Mark makes it splendidly clear. Amen.