https://youtu.be/z-VHHsqkCXc
+ The “seventy plus two” that were on “the list” to
have the spirit that was on Moses bestowed
upon them for prophecy – foreshadowed
the time many centuries later, when Jesus would send out seventy-two of his disciples to proclaim the message that he (as
Messiah) was indeed now present in their midst, God was working special things
for them, and that salvation was at hand. What was interesting in the first
bestowal was that two of the chosen recipients – two on the list - (Eldad and
Medad) were not even present in the tent when the other seventy received the
spirit (no doubt by a laying on of hands – the usual way of representing the
imbuing of the Spirit). This confirms the fact that God can do what he wants,
with those he has selected for special ministry, the way he wants to – he is
not bound by institutions and organized ways of doing things.
When there was complaint about
the technicality that the two were not commissioned at the same time as the
others, Moses answered: Would that all
the people of the Lord were prophets! Would that the Lord might bestow his
spirit on them all! This is a direct inference that in baptism one day all
of the members of God’s family, Christ’s Body, would indeed possess the spirit
and be not only a prophetic people –
called on to speak on behalf of the Lord all the days of their lives – but also
a priestly people who offer fitting
spiritual sacrifice to God, and a kingly
people, sharing the dignity of the royal family of God of which they are
now direct heirs.
In
the gospel passage Jesus is questioned about some who were
performing actions that only he or his selected disciples were theoretically
allowed to perform: the driving out of demons in Jesus’ name. Obviously, what
they were doing brought about the desired result, but it was not the ordinary
means. Jesus responds by saying that sometimes using the right formula does
work (again, he is not bound by institution or organization): it is the work worked and the good intention
(the good faith) of the worker that brings about the desired result: so don’t stop them he says. For if you notice, they are on our side – maybe in a remote
and distant way – but nevertheless a real way! This applies to all good works
done in general, and in the name of some higher authority – if done in good faith
and for the good of another – and not to get credit – then the doer is “not far
from the kingdom” – and affirming their good deed may draw them more readily
into the true fold.
The
bottom line today is that God’s people are taken care of: negative
spirits are driven away, good spirits are encouraged, and God’s people feel
nurtured, fed, and cared for! If we contribute to this project, then we are
friends of Jesus, true disciples, and cooperators in our own salvation!, and if
we don’t – even if we are members of the administrative branch of religion,
then we are enemies of Jesus, and the entire Mystical Body suffers in ways
great and small.
May we live our life like we
are children of God, for that is what we are; and let us take care of our
brothers and sisters out of a true sense of concern, compassion and empathy –
and our Father will be pleased – and our many sins will be more easily
forgiven!
And for those who are the
enemies of Christ, they will be taken care of and just punishments imposed if not
here in this life time then surely in the next!
The
precepts of the Lord, give joy to the heart.
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