Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Year of Saint Joseph

Year of the Family "Amoris Laetitia The Joy of Love"

107th World Day of Migrants and Refugees

In other years: Saints Cosmas and Damian 

Readings of the Day

RB: Ch 7:5-9 Humility 

Mass: Nb 11:25-29; Resp Ps 19; Jm 5:1-6; Mk 9:38-43, 45, 47-48

The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.

MARY, COMFORT OF MIGRANTS,

PRAY FOR US.

I can't seem to get Eldad and Medad in today's account from the Book of Numbers off my mind. They didn't follow protocol so to speak. They received some of the spirit that was on Moses, but didn't gather with the other elders. They took matters into their own hands and got busy prophesying. Joshua wasn't too happy with this and went straight to Moses to report Eldad and Medad. Moses got to the heart of the matter: "Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all people of the Lord were prophets! Would that the Lord might bestow His spirit on them all!" (Nb 11:29). A similar situation comes in today's Gospel where the disciples weren't happy with the behavior of someone who was busy driving out demons in the Name of Jesus. This certain someone did not follow them so didn't follow protocol either. No matter, says Jesus, Do not prevent him. There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me. For whoever is not against us is for us (Mk 9:39-40). I am reminded of a quotation, attributed by some to Thomas Jefferson, "Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today." Let's get busy then, and concern ourselves with our own behavior, and spread the Good News in word and deed, more in deed than word.  

Instead of judging everything and everyone, let us be aware of ourselves!

Furthermore,

Jesus is radical, demanding, but for our own good, like a good doctor. Every cut, every pruning, is so we can grow better and bear fruit in love ... Let us ask then, what is it in me that is contrary to the Gospel? What, in concrete terms, does Jesus want me to cut out of my life?

(Pope Francis, Angelus Address, September 26, 2021)

SAINTS COSMAS AND DAMIAN,

SAINT JOSEPH,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: These are some of my favorites in our garden of delight.

© Gertrude Feick 2021