“ARE YOU JEALOUS FOR MY SAKE? WOULD THAT ALL THE LORD’S PEOPLE WERE PROPHETS…” (Num 11:29)

TWENTY-SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (YEAR B)

Num 11:25-29; Ps 19:7-9, 11-12, 13 (R.v.8ab); Jam 5:1-6; Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48

In our reflection last Sunday, there was a warning from the liturgy of the day to shun all forms of envy and Jealousy. These ills do not help in building a community for Christ; they destroy it.

In the liturgy of today, the practical examples of Moses, in the First Reading, and Jesus, in the Gospel, are given to us to show us the need to work together so that we can achieve our common goal, which is, our union with Christ.

In fact, just as St. Paul illustrates with his analogy of the body (cf. 1 Cor. 12:12-31), the different gifts we have, which others do not have, or the things we are able to do, which others are not able to do, are meant to help us to assist others in reaching that our common goal. If everyone should use his own gift or talent well, the world would be a better place.

That is the point that St. James tries to make in the Second Reading. We are not all made equal. Some are made rich and others poor, whereas some are strong, others weak. The relationship between the two opposites must be a symbiotic one and not parasitic.

Why then do we kill ourselves over the progress or success of others and try to pull them down? When a brother or sister of yours is making progress, rejoice with him and pray for him because all good things come from God (cf. Jas 1:17).

May the Lord remove all spirits of envy and Jealousy from us, and help us to use our different gifts and talents to help all those who are in need of our assistance. Amen.

Happy Sunday to you. Peace be with you.