[1]The week prior to the NFL season opener is called the cut-down week. Meaning NFL teams had loads of decisions to
make to pare their rosters down from 90 to 53 players. The “position battles” to figure out who will
start Week 1 have largely been settled by this time, barring an injury in
practice. Owners and coaches had to make
the decision which players they felt would be contributors. They looked at each position group to pick the
two or three guys they felt deserved an opportunity, and the players understand
just how important this opportunity is for them to get out there and show their
best. Players unable or unwilling to
give their best, or are a distraction to the team effort were cut. Some players cut were long-time veterans,
some who thought they’re position was secure based on who they are.
In our readings today, we find both Joshua and John are objecting to those
who were prophesying and driving out demons who were outside the parameters of
their team. For Joshua, since Eldad and
Medad were not present with the group, that a portion of Moses’ spirit was
shared, they are viewed with jealousy, suggesting the belief that they should
not be prophesying as this belongs to Moses and the select group present. John too, in his youthful enthusiasm seems to
want to limit the circle of intimacy around Jesus. His motivation will be revealed later in the
Gospel of Mark, when he will confess the aspirations of his heart, along with
his brother requesting, “Grant that in your glory we may sit one at your right
hand and the other to your left.” (Mk 10:38) Much like the players who thought
their positions were secure because of who they were, yet cut from the team, John
must have been stunned by the accurate aim of Jesus, who insinuated that for
the health of his body, the Church, it might be suitable for John, the one who
aspired to be Jesus’ right hand, be cut off.
And the same would apply to those who aspire to be the eye of the
Church, or the foot of the body of Christ.
Today’s Gospel is the neatest example of Jesus’ explicit teaching about
what it means to form the body of the Church.
To the degree that should one member of the body—hand, foot,
eye—separate his or her function from the rest of the body, it disables the
body. Said another way to say this is, if
one member of the body sins, the whole body is affected. Moses’ and Jesus’ response to their young disciples,
calls our attention to see the action of God’s Spirit. “Would that all the people of the Lord were
prophets!” (Nm 11:29) As Christians baptized in the Trinitarian Rite (Father,
Son, and Holy Spirit) we are baptized priest, prophet and king. We have a responsibility to proclaim the good
news of the Gospel, to be models of virtue in our everyday lives. The same self-giving virtue that Jesus modeled,
even offering himself unto death, death on the cross. Jesus in his response to his disciple expands
Moses’ response as he says, “For whoever is not against us is for us” (Mk 9:40)
whether friend, foe, or us.
If someone does good rather than evil, manifesting the values of Jesus,
see God’s Spirit there. Rash judgment or
over-reaction, like that of the disciples, often blinds us to models of virtue,
especially when someone doesn’t fit our expectations. Think about the picture of Muslims in the
Middle East, who surrounded Christian churches to protect them. Think about the people who hid our Jewish
sisters and brothers in an attempt to save them from the Holocaust. Think about the first responders from all
faiths and no faith, who entered crumbling buildings on 9/11. These people embodied the ways of Jesus,
whatever their faith, culture, or way of life.
They manifested the Spirit of God, as Eldad and Medad did. They are with us, even if they are not members
of our “camp.”
Inclusiveness, not exclusiveness, is the mark of Jesus’ followers.
If only all people of faith would clearly manifest the Spirit! If only more people were willing to be
surprised by God’s presence in the world!
St. James reminds us, we are called to respond to the cries of the
least, the last, and the lost, to be as concerned for others as we are for
ourselves. All too often, self-centeredness,
dividing who’s in and who’s out too hastily, fear of change, or habitual sin
can fill our hearts. Full, there is no
room to see God anywhere. Make
room. We must cut off whatever takes
God’s place in our lives. Pluck out whatever
distracts our ability to see God’s Spirit at work. Emptied, we must turn to God for eyes that
see the Spirit, especially where we least expect.[2]
“For whoever is not
against us is for us.”
[1] New American Bible, Saint Joseph Edition ©
1986. Scripture: Wis 2:12, 17-20; Jam 3:16--4:3;
Mk 9:30-37.
[2] Living the Word ©
2017 by Laurie Brink, O.P. and Paul Colloton, O.S.F.S.
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