Numbers 11:25-29    James 5:1-6    Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48

We all know that the spirit of God is not limited to any one of us at any time in our lives. No matter where we are and where we have been, or how far we may have strayed from the Lord, His spirit can always be with us. Both Moses and Jesus emphasized this in today’s reading and Gospel. Indeed in both of these stories people were harshly judging others who were trying to do God’s will but did not fit into their expectations. There are still people today who make such judgments.

Jesus always taught about the promises of the kingdom open to everyone, not just a select few. We all can be both prophets and evangelizers. A Prophet is someone who brings Jesus and His words into the whole world. That is our job. The Lord is asking us to tell others how wonderful He is, and He is asking us in word to proclaim His love, mercy and His forgiveness.

We do not have to wait for a coronation or an ordination in order to do the work of the Lord. These gifts come to us in virtue of our Baptism and Confirmation. It is more true now than it ever has been, that we are to go into the world and proclaim the “Good News”. In order to do this or feel this way we have to know and to feel that we are empowered. No earthly person gives us this power but it is from the Lord. We can look around us and see many good and wonderful ways to make this real in the lives of all of our sisters and brothers.