Num 11:25-29; Ps 19; Jas 5:1-6; Mk 9:38-48
If all were to be Prophets
My dear friends, today is the 26th Sunday in Ordinary time. Today, in both the first reading and the Gospel, the spirit of jealousy is being condemned. Jealousy is resentment or mental uneasiness against a rival, a person enjoying success or advantage, or against another person’s wellbeing. It is a strong desire to possess something or someone belonging to another. Jealousy is something that comes from within when a person is not able to focus on his or her own advantages, and opportunities to succeed in life. Instead, the person spends more time analyzing the success and advantages of others and wishes he or she could match them.
In the first reading, Moses had lamented to God because the weight of leading the people of Israel had become too heavy for him. God asked him to choose 70 men to whom he would give some of Moses’ spirit to assist him in leading the people. When the men gathered at the door of the tabernacle as the Lord had ordered, two of the chosen men were left in the camp. However, when the spirit of Moses was distributed to the men at the Tabernacle, these two also received it and began to prophesy in the camp. A certain boy reported this matter to Moses. Immediately, Joshua, Moses’ assistant, thought to himself that it was not fitting that the men who did not go to the Tabernacle should prophesy. Moses answers him that it was God’s will that these men too should prophesy. The work of a prophet is all about instructing the people about the will of God and remind them again and again. Moses thought that if all the people were to be prophets, his job would be done.
We see the same scenario in the Gospel passage. John reports to Jesus that they prohibited a man they had seen casting demons in His name. Jesus tells them not to prohibit such persons who act in his name because they cannot go against him at the same time.
Jealousy is something that we battle with in our lives every day. Jealousy in our families where some children become envious of one of them because he or she gets more attention from their parents. Jealousy in communities where some members envy others because of their success or advantage. Jealousy in places of work where some workers envy others because they do well in their responsibilities. Jealousy in Church where some members envy others because of their charisma in singing, preaching, and organizing things. Jealousy among the political class towards those who are more popular than them, etc.
Jealousy destroys families, communities, churches, and even nations. It is something that each one of us has in his or her own measure. We all need to learn how to conquer jealousy. The best way to fight the spirit of jealousy within us is to focus on our own blessings, successes, and advantages, opportunities, and capitalize on them. Jealousy can also be fought by keeping oneself busy with productive activities. Those who spend a lot of time idle end up being jealous of those around them. Slowly they start complaining about everything and everyone else except themselves. They spend more time gossiping than working.
Jealousy is very poisonous and can lead to physical and emotional distress for a person feeling it. It puts strains on relationships and distorts communication and freedom among the people. Jealous people may lead to verbal or even physical abuse both within themselves and towards others. In worst cases, jealousy can lead to depression, violence, and even suicide.
St. James is warning us of injustice against the poor who work hard to earn their living. There is a tendency among the rich to delay paying those who work for them or cheat them. According to St. James, those who do that will face the wrath of God who listens to the cries of the poor. If someone has worked for you, kindly pay them their dues.
Dear friends, jealousy is a killer disease. Today let us introspect, identify, and work towards eradicating the specks of loads of jealousy in us. Let us ask God to give us the grace of tolerance and the ability to focus on our own advantages, opportunities, and blessings.
Have a blessed Sunday.
Fr. Lawrence Muthee, SVD
SVD JAMBO KENTAN 