Nm 11:25-29
Ps 19 8-14
Jas 5:1-6
Mk 9:38-43, 45, 47-48
None of today's readings elicits warm, fuzzy, or comforting feelings. There is nothing to soothe a troubled soul. If anything, the gospel has the potential to cause discomfort. Both the first reading and the gospel consider the question of who should prophesy, who should evangelize. The short answer is everyone.
In response to the concerns that two men--Eldad and Medad--were prophesying along with the other elders despite having been absent when the spirit descended, Moses replied, "Would that all the people of the Lord were prophets!" In a similar vein we have John's complaint "Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us. " Jesus silenced him silenced with, "For whoever is not against us is for us."
The second reading is a warning to those whose only goals in life are wealth, power, influence, and fame. One of the saddest bumper stickers I've ever seen is the one proclaiming, "He who has the most toys when he dies wins." Wins what? How does one win? What good are "toys," what good are the markers of having "made it" in contemporary U.S. society, when one is approaching death? Having more, bigger, better, flashier, and faster matter nothing at the end. During life those objects may do nothing more than divert our attention from the things that matter, and sadly, from the people that matter. They are useless after death.
It is important to note that having money or being able to afford nice, or even expensive, things is not evil or sinful in and of itself. Wealth does not necessarily equate with sin. The wealthy are not always evil, malicious, or uncaring. The obsessive pursuit money, power, fame, or influence, however, is a an entirely different matter.
Paul's First Letter to Timothy is usually misquoted as. "Money is the root of all evil." That is wrong. Verse ten of the letter is correctly rendered as, "For the love of money is the root of all evils, and some people in their desire for it have strayed from the faith and have pierced themselves with many pains." The words, "the love of . . . " are critical.
It is the disordered affection for money, the perverse desire to have the most toys, the monomaniacal pursuit of the biggest and most expensive that drives evil; it is not the money itself.
The 1987 movie "Wall Street" illustrated what James wrote in his letter. The slimy protagonist, Gordon Gekko, spoke the unfortunate line "Greed, for lack of a better word, is good."
That line is also misquoted, usually being cited as "Greed is good."
It is sad to recall that it was a mantra for several years, seeming to excuse bad behavior flaunting one's wealth, and other excesses. James is criticizing the destructive greed that tramples anyone or anything standing in its way.
It doesn't matter if it is the greed of Bernie Madoff of a generation ago ripping off investors, Elizabeth Holmes callously disregarding the health of patients--her trial is ongoing. The greed of the local drug dealers peddling their wares to addicts on street corners or the greed of the little league treasurer who embezzles funds meant for uniforms so as to buy that loaded SUV are not different. The greed are simply working with a smaller budget. When greed harms others it is sin.
In the Gospel Jesus is damning scandalous behavior in those who would call themselves his followers. It is critical to point out that Jesus is using hyperbole when he says, "If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off . . . . If your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out," Unfortunately, too many psychiatrists have had to admit, evaluate, or treat delusional patients who took this in literal fashion and mutilated some part of the body that he or she perceived led into sin. Indeed, my first month of residency included a man who attempted a DIY-amputation because he perceived that part led him to sin. He was very psychotic. Fortunately his attempt was unsuccessful.
The sayings in this gospel are sometimes referred to as the "scandal sayings." Jesus is telling us that scandal is to be avoided at all costs. The price of causing scandal is high for the one who causes it. The cost may be even higher to the family, friends, and others affected by the individual's behavior.
We are all called to evangelize in the name of Jesus. We are all called to spread the gospel of Christ. Many would ask how we are to do this, short mounting a pulpit, addressing a class, or publishing in a theology journal. The best advice on evangelism 101 remains that of Francis of Assisi who wrote, "Preach the gospel at all times, use words only when necessary."
If we can preach the gospel through both word and deed we too can sing with the psalmist:
"The law of the Lord is perfect
refreshing the soul;
the decree of the Lord is trustworthy,
giving wisdom to the simple."
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Photos are from the place that allowed me to become who I am. I shudder to think of where I'd be were it not for Penn State, the friends I made there, and the superb preparation it gave me for the rigors of Temple Medical, where I began fifty years ago. I still have my mom's "Penn State Mom" coffee cup. Too bad there were no custom ones for "Penn State Wife, Mom, and Grandma" Among my happiest memories of her later years was watching Penn State football with her on Saturdays while waiting to go to celebrate Mass
Beaver Stadium in the background. Many hours there.
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