For and Against Jesus…

Today’s readings from the book of Numbers and the Gospel of Saint Mark carry some very important lessons for us. Joshua, the leader of the Army and the deputy of Moses, was all upset because some individuals were prophesying and were not part of the official seventy-two official prophets. Joshua felt that Moses, the leader of the people, should stop them! But Moses replied: “If only the Lord gave his Spirit to all the people.” This reminds us of today’s Gospel and the words of Jesus to the Apostles who were upset that others were casting out demons and healing people in the name of Jesus! These were people who were not part of the chosen twelve! Jesus responded: “Let them be! Anyone who is not against us is for us.” Religious fundamentalists in every tradition tend to draw clear lines between the “holy” or the saved and the rest of the world. Jesus and Moses in their different ways invite to see the good that others do – even if they are not one of “us”. They invite us to be in the presence of the Holy Spirit at work – outside or beyond what we might think as the ordinary channels of grace.

Both Moses and Jesus recognize that God’s Spirit blows where it will! Sometimes the Holy Spirit works in strange places and through unexpected people. God can work through very different channels than the ones we normally expect. We cannot put the Spirit of God in a box. The Holy Spirit is bound to the Church, but is not bound by the Church. The Spirit can use many means to build up the Kingdom…We pray for the wisdom to recognize when God is working in unexpected ways and through unexpected people, and recognize those who are with us!

This Week’s Celebrations

On Tuesday, September 29^th, we celebrate the Feast of the Archangels: Michael, Gabriel and Rafael. Michael the Archangel overcame the power of Satan. He represents the “Goodness and Power of God.” He is the defender of the Church and we call upon him to help us overcome the power of evil in our world and in our lives. He is the Patron of Security Forces, the Airborne, and of the sick. (Daniel 12:1, Revelations 12:7-9)

The Archangel Gabriel represents the “Strength of God.” Gabriel brought the Good News of the Incarnation to the Blessed Virgin Mary. When telling Mary of the pregnancy of Elizabeth her cousin, Gabriel said: “With God, all things are possible.” Archangel Gabriel is the Patron of Telecommunications and the Postal Service. ( Luke 1:11-20)

The Archangel Rafael represents “God’s Remedy” or the healing power of God. Rafael also represents the presence of God on our journey through life. The Archangel Rafael is the Patron Saint of Travelers and of the Blind! (Tobit 5,6,11:1-55)

On this feast we are reminded that God is the God of power and goodness. He loves and cares for his creatures, and is always close to them on their journey through life.

Saint Jerome: On September 30^th, we celebrate the Feast of Saint Jerome, priest and doctor of the Church. St. Jerome died in 420. He wrote many commentaries on the Bible and is famous for his translation of the Bible into Latin – known as the “Vulgate”. One of the few great doctors of the Church! He is the Patron Saint of Scripture Scholars. “Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.” (St. Jerome)

Thursday, October 1^st is the Feast of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus. She is known as the “Little Flower”. She was born in Alencon, France in 1873 and died in 1894 - at age 24. She became a Carmelite nun at Lisieux. She prayed, worked, and sacrificed for missionaries. Her ‘Little Way’ is the way to holiness… She was proclaimed a Doctor of the Church by Pope John Paul II in 1997 and is the Patron Saint of the Missions, Florists and of France.

Friday, October 2^nd is the Feast of Guardian Angels! Jesus said: “Their Angels see the face of my Heavenly Father.” (Matthew 18:10) This feast was established as a universal feast of the Church in 1670. Christians for centuries have believed that each one of us have been assigned an “Angel” to guard us. The Psalms reflect this belief. (Tobit 5:11, Psalm 34:7) We all remember a beautiful prayer we learned at our mother’s knees: “Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God’s love commits me here, ever this day be at my side, to light and guard to rule and guide. Amen.” Today’s feast honors the angels as persons, pure spirits, messengers of God and the Church has taught traditionally that these spirits are our helpers. They keep us free from danger in this life and lead us to eternal life. (Psalm 39:7, Hebrews 2:7)