Reflection on the 25th Sunday Of Ordinary Time, Year B

(Num 11, 25-29; Tames 5, 1-6; Mark 9, 38-48)

The main theme of to day's reading dwells on religious fanaticism. A fanatic is a person who attacks anybody who thinks differently or does not belong to his/her group; it is the one who shuts his eyes to whatever good the others do, sure that whoever is not with him or her or shows approval for his or her plans and ideas is certainly wicked and must be opposed. The first reading from the book of Numbers indicates fanaticism on the part of Joshua son of Nun while the gospel shows the apostle John to be of such stock. Both Moses and Jesus disagreed with such mentality.

We must confront ourselves with this message of the readings of this Sunday. Do I in any way or in various ways exhibit any form of fanaticism: be it political or religious fanaticism. We can be social fanatics when we accept only people from our social status, or tribal ones when we look with jaundiced eyes on people who are from other tribes other than ours. Mark the imports of the words of Moses and Jesus; those who do not belong to our immediate religious, tribal, social groups can contribute immensely to the good of the society in which we live.

Bringing it down home, we Catholics pride ourselves as having authentic faith and doctrine. Yes that is true? But do we always produce the expected fruit of faith-witnessing or show authentic Christian love when needed? Do we not often treat with scorn the manifestation of authentic Christian witnessing found in the other Christian denominations and ecclesial communities? Are we as generous as some of our brothers and sisters who are theoretical or practical atheists when it comes to the generous use of the wealth God in his goodness has given to us and are more sensitive to injustice towards the poorest and the defenseless? Are there not Christians and Catholics, for that matter, who as James says in today’s 2nd reading, pile up riches, do not share their goods with the poor, and exploit the workers. As we reflect on the readings of today, may the good Lord give us insight and wisdom to eradicate all forms of fanaticism in our lives and show us how to share our spiritual and material goods with the less privileged.

Brought to you by www.99sheep.net
...every soul needs to be saved