One of the most interesting things in this day and age is the emergence of social media! Through websites and mobile applications, we can access Facebook, Twitter, Instagram just to name a few. It's hard to know how many of these sites are on the internet, but it would be safe to say they are in the hundreds!
Some of these sites have redefined the very meaning of friendship. It's possible to have "friends" whom we've never met and might never meet in person. With so many connections we find ourselves able to belong to many virtual communities or groups. While we tend to organize ourselves in groups or communities, God doesn't pay attention to divisions, treating each of us the same and giving the same benefits of membership to all.
In our first reading from the Book of Numbers we hear of those who were with Moses receiving the gift of God and able to prophesy. Two members of the community, Eldad and Medad were not with the others when they received the spirit and began prophesying. Out of jealousy, one young man complained to Moses that the two outsiders should be prevented from prophesying. Moses rightly rejected this complaint and offering his desire for inclusiveness. Moses stated that no one should be left out of God's spirit.
In our reading from St. James we hear the condemnation of those who are greedy and selfish and accumulate riches and wealth at the expense of others. The fact that the wealthy have cheated and taken advantage of their workers will not go unnoticed by God. The Scriptures leave us with a presumption that God will carry out appropriate justice toward those who made themselves wealthy at the expense of others.
In our reading from the gospel of St. Mark we see a similar jealousy that we saw in our first reading from Numbers. John came to Jesus to complain that someone who was not a member of the disciples expelling demons in the name of Jesus. As we see, Jesus has no problem with someone who was perceived as an outsider doing good in his name. "For whoever is not against us is for us." (Mark 9:40) Jesus doesn't make distinctions between "outsiders" and "insiders". There is no "in-crowd." But Jesus does make strong statements against those who would harm the faith of others.
In both the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament we see that God wants to pour out blessings on all who desire them. Being a member of God's kingdom is not contingent on membership in a certain group, social group, or race. You don't need a special "membership card."
Jesus' call for his followers to spread the Good News is a universal call, calling for faith and willingness from those who follow him.
We are called to hear God's word and embrace Jesus' call for acceptance for all people. As we approach the Blessed Sacrament at the Lord's table let us celebrate his presence and receive nourishment and empowerment to carry out the mission which God calls us.
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