BROADCASTS.com

b'(Nm.11:25-29;\\xa0\\xa0 Ps.19:8-10,12-14;\\xa0\\xa0 Jas.5:1-6;\\xa0\\xa0 Mk.9:38-43,45,47-48)\\xa0 \\u201cWould that all the people to the Lord were prophets! Would that the Lord might bestow His Spirit on them all!\\u201d There is of course a striking similarity in our first reading and our gospel today.\\xa0 In one, Joshua, \\u201cwho from his youth had been Moses\\u2019 aide,\\u201d comes to his master to inform him that two men who had not gone as instructed to the mountain to receive God\\u2019s Spirit were \\u201cprophesying in the camp\\u201d: \\u201cMoses, my lord, stop them,\\u201d he zealously proclaims.\\xa0 And in the other, John, the Lord\\u2019s beloved disciple, conveys his message to Jesus: \\u201cTeacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us,\\u201d he, too, attempting to thwart the Spirit of God which does not go forth in channels that seem proper.\\xa0 But Moses\\u2019 answer above could not be more strongly stated, and Jesus says plainly to His disciples, \\u201cDo not prevent them.\\xa0 There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me.\\u201d\\xa0 And so, let goodness go forth, unto the ends of the earth. Indeed, Moses\\u2019 cry is the Lord\\u2019s will, and it is this will Jesus has come to realize \\u2013 that all may embrace what is right and true and so come to the kingdom of heaven.\\xa0 However, inherent in Moses\\u2019 exclamation is also the unfortunate fact that most do not have the Spirit of God; most are not walking in His name.\\xa0 More often than not the \\u201cwanton sin\\u201d which James so graphically presents to our eyes and ears is the state of man; and so the horrible miseries he even more graphically represents become their fate.\\xa0 And so, to accomplish His work of salvation upon the face of the earth, the Christ must necessarily be severe in His speech, in His warning and His instruction: \\u201cIf your hand causes you to sin, cut it off\\u2026\\xa0 If your foot causes you to sin, cut it off\\u2026\\xa0 If your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out\\u201d \\u2013 better these measures than the fires of Gehenna\\u2026 better any pain on this plane than the eternal punishments of the hell wrought by the sins so much a part of all our lives. With great wisdom David speaks of the precepts of the Lord.\\xa0 First he recognizes that \\u201cthe law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul\\u201d and \\u201cfear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever\\u201d; then, seeking to endure forever with the Lord of all, he declares to God of His laws: \\u201cThough your servant is careful of them, very diligent in keeping them, yet who can detect failings?\\u201d\\xa0 And even wiser is he to cry out, \\u201cCleanse me from my unknown faults!\\u201d for he knows only this thorough cleansing will make him any prophet of God; only if he be \\u201cblameless and innocent\\u201d will he maintain the Lord\\u2019s Spirit within himself.\\xa0 And so the same is true for all the Lord would gather into His arms, all who seek His eternal reward. Written, read & chanted, and produced by James Kurt. Music: "Open Air" from Thoroughfare, seventh album of Songs for Children of Light, by James Kurt. ******* O LORD, that all were prophets! that all would purify their souls in your undying light and so enter into your kingdom. YHWH, your Spirit be upon us this day.\\xa0 Let us turn away from all sin that we might enter your kingdom. How perfect you are, O LORD, and how perfect is your Law.\\xa0 Your Word comes to us as a cleansing flame.\\xa0 But if we turn our hearts from love of you, that flame becomes a devouring fire.\\xa0 If we attach ourselves to the riches of this world, seeking its treasure by ungodly means, what can we be but separated from you on your holy Day.\\xa0 For all that is wicked shall be cast into flame, and from it shall not be withdrawn.\\xa0 But all your children will be refreshed by that flame, purified to stand in your presence. O let us be innocent and blameless of serious sin, dearest LORD and God!\\xa0 And let us not lead any astray, that we might not merit condemnation.\\xa0 It is your will that all come to glory and you cannot but cast aside all who work against the bestowing of your Spirit upon souls.'