Today's Gospel Reading - Sunday, September 30, 2012 with Reflection

 1^ST READING - Numbers 11:25-29

P S A L M - Psalm 19:8, 10, 12-13, 14

R: The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.

7 [8] The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul; the decree of the Lord is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple. (R)  9 [10] The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the Lord are true, all of them just. (R) 11 [12] Though your servant is careful of them, very diligent in keeping them, 12 [13] yet who can detect failings? Cleanse me from my unknown faults! (R) 13 [14] From wanton sin especially, restrain your servant; let it not rule over me. Then shall I be blameless and innocent of serious sin. (R)

2^ND READING - James 5:1-6

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Your word, O Lord, is truth; consecrate us in the truth.

Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48

38 At that time, John said to Jesus, “Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us.” 39 Jesus replied, “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. 40 For whoever is not against us is for us. 41 Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ, amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward. 42 Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were put around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. 43 If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed than with two hands to go into Gehenna, into the unquenchable fire. 45 And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life crippled than with two feet to be thrown into Gehenna. 47 And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. Better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into Gehenna, 48 where ‘their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.’”

SABBATH

BANISH YOUR SUSPICIONS Jesus gave the Apostles the authority to perform wonders in His name. Someone who was not of their member was expelling demons in the name of Jesus. They reported the man to Jesus with the claim, “We saw someone driving out demons in your name and we tried to stop him because he is not of our company.” Bluntly, Jesus ordered them not to stop him and essentially told them that they do not have an exclusive copyright over His name. In the First Reading, Moses, after an intimate encounter with God, came down the mountain and shared the spirit with the 70 elders to prophesy. A certain Eldad and Medad were not there in the gathering yet the spirit descended upon them as well. When they began to prophesy, Aaron wondered and reported them to Moses. In reply, Moses countered, “Would that all the people of the Lord were prophets! Would that the Lord might bestow his spirit on them all!” Aaron and the disciples wanted to exclude people outside of their circle with what they thought to be righteous indignation. But deep inside it was insecurity and an elitist mentality that motivated them.  Apostles were against the Pharisees but unwittingly they were Pharisaical in their attitude as well. Pharisee literally means one who is separated, different from the others. That is not the way of Jesus and the Kingdom. Jesus brought about change not as one who was isolated and separated but as Emmanuel, the God who is with us. Jesus did not see an outsider as a potential enemy but as a potential friend and ally. Would that all of us see others with the eyes of Jesus! Fr. Joel Jason REFLECTION QUESTION: When you see someone who is not of your class, color, race, religion or ideology, do you automatically shut them off? Jesus, You welcomed the stranger. Help me overcome my fears that I may experience the wealth that also lies beyond the confines of my inner circle. Amen. St. Jerome, priest and doctor of the Church, pray for us. Do you want to receive this in your email?  To get Bo Sanchez to send it to you personally, log-on to http://kerygmafamily.com. Lots of surprises await.