Daily Readings - Sun Sep 26 2021
Numbers
25Then the LORD came down in the cloud and spoke to him, and took some of the Spirit that was on him and put it on the seventy elders. And as soon as the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied. But they did not continue doing it.26Now two men remained in the camp, one named Eldad, and the other named Medad, and the Spirit rested on them. They were among those registered, but they had not gone out to the tent, and so they prophesied in the camp.27And a young man ran and told Moses, "Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp."28And Joshua the son of Nun, the assistant of Moses from his youth, said, "My lord Moses, stop them."29But Moses said to him, "Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the LORD's people were prophets, that the LORD would put his Spirit on them!"
James
1Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you.2Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten.3Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days.4Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts.5You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter.6You have condemned; you have murdered the righteous person. He does not resist you.
Mark
38John said to him, "Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us."39But Jesus said, "Do not stop him, for no one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me.40For the one who is not against us is for us.41For truly, I say to you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will by no means 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 hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea.43And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire.45And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell.47And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell,48'where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.'
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful messages about humility, inclusion, and the responsible use of God’s gifts. The first reading from Numbers reminds us of Moses’ humility when he refused to restrict the Spirit’s movement. The Spirit rested on Eldad and Medad, who, though not with Moses, still prophesied. This teaches us that God’s gifts are not confined to a select few but can manifest in anyone, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and embracing the divine in others.
The second reading from James offers a stark warning to the wealthy about the corruption of riches and the exploitation of others. It calls us to reflect on how we use our resources, urging us to act justly and compassionately. This reading challenges us to consider the ethical implications of our wealth and actions, reminding us that true wealth lies in our relationship with God.
In the Gospel, Jesus teaches the disciples about inclusion and the seriousness of causing others to sin. He encourages them not to hinder those doing good in His name, even if they are not part of their group. This lesson extends to our daily lives, urging us to be open to God’s work beyond our immediate circles and to be mindful of our influence on others, especially the vulnerable.
These readings collectively call us to humility, openness, and responsibility. They remind us to embrace God’s presence in others, use our resources justly, and be mindful of our actions’ impact. Let us strive to live these lessons, fostering an inclusive and compassionate community that reflects God’s love.