Every Sunday, Bishop Edward Malesic writes a Scripture reflection for the faithful. Follow the bishop on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Click HERE for the readings.
We have all heard it, and perhaps even said it, that another Church (other than the one we belong to) does something better than we do in our individual parishes. Perhaps another church is better at hospitality or another preacher is better than our pastor is. This is, of course, true for churches outside of the Catholic Church too.
There can be a certain jealousy that begins to eat away at us.
In the First Reading, God took some of the Spirit that was on Moses and distributed it to seventy elders. They began to prophesy. Then, two others who had been outside of the camp when the Spirit was given at the special ceremony began to prophesy too. A few began to grumble and asked Moses to stop them. Moses replied, “Would that all the people of the Lord were prophets!”
In the Gospel, something similar happened. John said to Jesus, “Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us.” Jesus replied, “Do not prevent him. . . .For whoever is not against us is for us.” He went so far as to say that anyone who is kind to them, even if they are not of their group, would receive God’s reward.
So once again, we find that the “Spirit blows were it will” (John 3:8). God works good wherever, whenever, and by whomever God wants.
Now, I will never deny the fullness of faith and truth that I have come to know in the Catholic Church, but God does not always draw within the lines.
That is why the Catechism of the Catholic Church, quoting the work of the Second Vatican Council, says: "The sole Church of Christ which in the Creed we profess to be one, holy, catholic, and apostolic, . . . subsists in the Catholic Church, which is governed by the successor of Peter and by the bishops in communion with him. Nevertheless, many elements of sanctification and of truth are found outside its visible confines” (#870).
Let us not be jealous when we find the Spirit of God working great good in unexpected places. We can celebrate what God does elsewhere - and ultimately use that good to draw all people, including ourselves, closer to the heart of Jesus himself.
This week, Bishop Anthony Pilla died. May he rest in peace. Among the many things he was noted for was his work among people of the other faiths and Christian denominations. He was not afraid to find evidence of the Spirit working among all people of good will. He used what he found in them to build bridges of peace and justice in our community. That was something he believed he was being asked to do by God. Perhaps we can all learn from his example as we heed the call of Jesus to be one, as he is one with the Father.
In the end, let us not ever be against the Spirit of God, but always for the presence of Jesus who walks among us all. And, along the way, we also can give a cup of cool water to those who are thirsty for a bit of compassion. Jesus promises us a reward for doing that.
Have a blessed week everyone.