Scripture Study for
Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Numbers 11:25–29 / Psalm 19:9a / James 5:1–6 / Mark 9:38–43, 45, 47–48
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Understanding the Word
By Br. John R. Barker, OFM
As Israel wanders in the wilderness on the way to the Promised Land, they become increasingly discontented, and complain so much that Moses cries out to God to end his life (Numbers 11:14). God responds by endowing seventy elders with the same spirit enjoyed by Moses, so “that they may share the burden of the people with you.” The elders begin to prophesy around the tent of meeting, that is, in the designated area where God speaks to Moses. Joshua’s concern about Eldad and Medad appears to be related to the fact that they are prophesying in the camp, outside this designated zone. Moses, on the other hand, is not concerned about where prophesying happens; he is just glad that it does.
James continues to develop his teaching regarding the Christian’s relationship to wealth. He has already admonished against privileging the wealthy over the poor (2:1–4) and following the grasping, covetous wisdom of the world (3:13–4:3). Now he turns toward the rich themselves with classical warnings: their wealth is transient and may not last through their lives. When they die, they will discover the true wealth they possess. James assumes here that the wealthy have gained their riches through injustice, either by mistreating workers or by subverting justice to their advantage. In either case, in their wealth they have become complacent, just like satisfied cows, oblivious to the fact that they are fattening themselves up for slaughter.
The Gospel reading addresses the themes of tolerance and intolerance. In the first part, Jesus admonishes his followers to be less concerned about who “follows us” and more concerned about what they are doing. In doing good “in [Jesus’] name,” or for the sake of Christ, those who may not be part of the recognized followers are nevertheless doing something that pleases God. Sin, on the other hand, does not please God and cannot be tolerated. Those who muddle along in life without ever striving to eradicate whatever separates them from God will find themselves unable to enter into the reign of God. God loves the good, no matter who does it, but evil cannot be tolerated, for it opposes the very good that God loves.