Daily Readings - Sun Sep 26 2021
Numbers
25And the LORD came down in a cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the spirit that was upon him, and gave it unto the seventy elders: and it came to pass, that, when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease.26But there remained two of the men in the camp, the name of the one was Eldad, and the name of the other Medad: and the spirit rested upon them; and they were of them that were written, but went not out unto the tabernacle: and they prophesied in the camp.27And there ran a young man, and told Moses, and said, Eldad and Medad do prophesy in the camp.28And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of Moses, one of his young men, answered and said, My lord Moses, forbid them.29And Moses said unto him, Enviest thou for my sake? would God that all the LORD'S people were prophets, and that the LORD would put his spirit upon them!
James
1Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.2Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten.3Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.4Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.5Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter.6Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you.
Mark
38And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us.39But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me.40For he that is not against us is on our part.41For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.42And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.43And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:45And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:47And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:48Where their worm dieth not, 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.