To Bubble Forth

 

Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

 

~~~Numbers 11: 25-29 ~~~ Psalm 19 ~~~ James 5:1-6 ~~~ Mark 9: 38-43, 47-48~~~

 

 

We are reminded today, by James, that wealth and material things

will not insure you swift passage into heaven.

 

In both the book of Numbers and in Mark we hear that the spirit of God is intended for each of us. Those present when the spirit descended thought that they were the only ones who had been blessed.

 

"Taking some of the spirit that was on Moses,
the LORD bestowed it on the seventy elders;
and as the spirit came to rest on them, they prophesied."

To have the gift of prophecy...

A prophet is not one who foretells the future.

A prophet is one appointed by God to be his messenger.

A person who speaks for God.

 

Prophet

Hebrew: nabi, from a root meaning "to bubble forth,

as from a fountain" hence “to utter"

 

When the spirit of the Lord falls upon you literally are so filled

that you are 'bubbling forth' with the good news.

When a person is filled with the spirit of the Lord

they cannot contain it within themselves.

 

We are all called to be prophets, because we are all called to speak on God's behalf.

We are all called to give our testimony of how God has worked in our life.

 

Some were confused in our readings today in thinking

that only a chosen few

could proclaim the truths of God...

they were wrong.

 

"Moses, my lord, stop them."
But Moses answered him,
"Are you jealous for my sake?
Would that all the people of the LORD were prophets!
Would that the LORD might bestow his spirit on them all!"

 

Every time we speak on God's behalf to another person we are prophesying.

A few years ago someone asked me if I thought there were prophets among us today;

that day I did not have an answer for her.

Today I would confidently answer 'yes'.

 

If we cause others to sin by our actions the opposite must also hold true.

If we inspire others to be better than they were the day before we have done well.

 

For if who we are can be an inspiration to others are we not prophesying?

 

"...There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name
who can at the same time speak ill of me..."

 

Do you believe that you have a message from God?

Has God touched you in a profound way?

 

 

In the Bible there are at least 28 named Prophets of God.

Perhaps prophets are the human equivalent of God's heavenly messengers...

the Archangels.

 

What is important is that we too have the been blessed with the Spirit of the Lord.

Let words of goodness be your primary expression.

 

"...For whoever is not against us is for us..."