You know, I often think Moses and Jesus had their hands full. In this past Sunday readings, both of them deal with a case of "team drama." Moses is exhausted, and some of the elders are having a prophesy party without permission. Meanwhile, Jesus’ disciples are getting a little territorial about who’s allowed to use His name. It’s like watching a bunch of kids argue over who gets to be the leader in a game of tag! But there’s a lot we can learn here, especially about recognizing God’s work in unexpected places.In the first reading last Sunday, we see Moses dealing with a heavy load of leadership. God helps him by sharing his spirit with seventy elders, but then two of those elders, Eldad and Medad, are off prophesying without attending the official "meeting." Joshua gets upset and wants them to stop. Moses, however, replies with something like, “Are you kidding? I wish everyone was this inspired!” It’s a reminder that God’s spirit can’t be confined to our rules and expectations—it’s like that one friend who always finds a way to bring snacks when you thought the potluck was closed.
In the Gospel, we see a similar scenario. The disciple John proudly tells Jesus that they tried to stop someone from casting out demons in His name because, well, he wasn’t part of the official “disciple club.” Jesus quickly sets the record straight: “Don’t stop him. If he’s not against us, he’s on our team.” Jesus reminds us that God doesn’t care much about our group memberships; He cares about hearts that are willing to serve.
James doesn’t mince words, though—he goes straight for the jugular, warning the wealthy about hoarding riches at the expense of others. He’s like that friend who doesn’t sugarcoat things and tells you, “Listen, if your actions are hurting people, you need to change—yesterday.” His message challenges us to think about how our priorities align with God's values, especially when it comes to treating others with dignity.
Let's be honest: sometimes, like Moses’ crew or the disciples, we get a little possessive about who’s allowed to “do God’s work.” We might think, “That person doesn’t have the right training, or they don’t belong to our group.” But as Moses and Jesus remind us, God’s spirit shows up in surprising ways. He’s not worried about checking attendance lists; He’s interested in hearts that are open to serving. So, are we open to God working through the unexpected “Eldads and Medads” of today?
Jesus warns us about causing others to stumble. It’s easy to think, “Hey, I’m a good person—I’m not causing anyone to sin.” But it’s not just about avoiding major slip-ups; it’s about living every day with consistency. Are we living out our faith in a way that invites people in, or are we setting up stumbling blocks? It’s like saying, “Hey, come to church!” and then cutting someone off in the parking lot—there’s a disconnect!
This week, let’s go out of our way to affirm others, especially those who might feel left out. Maybe it’s saying, “Hey, I noticed you’re doing a great job,” or inviting someone who’s on the margins to join in. Let’s remember: we don’t get to decide where God’s spirit lands. But we do get to choose whether we welcome or reject the work that God is doing in and through others.
Our readings this week remind us that God’s spirit is full of surprises, sometimes showing up in the most unlikely places—and people. So let’s keep our hearts open, our attitudes generous, and maybe even laugh a little at ourselves when we get caught up in the “rules” we try to impose on God. He’s got a bigger, broader, and more beautiful vision than any of us could imagine.
Have a great week, and remember to go out and keep reflecting Christ's love to everyone you meet!
