Reflection for the 26th Week of Ordinary Time

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

Would that all the people of the Lord were prophets! 

A cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ…

A prevalent theme of today’s readings is possessions. All that you and I possess, inside us and in our circumstances, are gifts from God’s all-wise and all-seeing Providence. Our first founder, Monsignor John Zwijsen, called this “His dear, Fatherly Providence”. In God’s plan all the details of our lives are only ordained or allowed for our greatest good, although they do not always match our likes. Some are tough challenges that are springboards for our growth.

Possessions can be material or spiritual. In the first reading (Numbers Chap. 11), the spiritual gift of prophecy was granted by God to the Hebrew elders as well as to Moses. His devout young helper Joshua wanted to limit that. He didn’t understand the “wideness of God’s mercy.”

Jealousy or envy can invade a soul who doesn’t understand that what God gives to each person is perfectly suited for him. Each possession is accompanied by the grace to use it according to His will, and for the person’s greatest benefit.

Gratitude is the antidote for envy – gratitude for what I have and for the talents and virtues of the other. Sometimes I just need to avert the eyes of my soul from looking at other people and give thanks for everything…what I possess and what I don’t! (1 Thess. Chap. 5)

Generosity itself is a grace from God, which you, our magnanimous friends, have shown to us Sisters of Charity so that we can continue to “gift” others, through our work and prayer. You open your hearts to others’ needs, you generously share your own possessions, and we are sincerely grateful.

People who are good to others will also reap the rewards of their faith and generosity: Jesus promised, “Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ, amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward (Mark Chap. 9).” Have you experienced what we Sisters have, quite often? When we give something away, other things quickly arrive to replace it, because “God is not outdone in generosity (cf Luke Chap. 6).”

We pray that His overabundance will surprise and delight you throughout life.

Have a blessed day!