26th Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)

Nm 11:25-29; Jas 5:1-6; Mk 9:39-43, 45, 47-48

In the first reading, an overzealous young man urges Moses to stop two individuals from prophesying because they did not receive the “spirit” from their leader. Moses, however, reminds him that the people of God are all prophets and they can prophesy even without an official designation from their leader. Similarly in the gospel, the apostle John complains to Jesus concerning a person who ministers in the Lord’s name apart from their group. But Jesus tells the disciple not to restrict this man because no one performs a mighty deed in his name who can at the same time speak ill of him. Whoever is not against him is for him.

Quite obviously, both Moses and Jesus want as many people as possible to share in God’s work of salvation. In governments and institutions, authority is exercised by those who are officially elected or delegated. But in God’s kingdom, ministry cannot be restricted to delegates or officers. A person need not have official credentials in order to serve. The true credential for doing something good is our being created in the image and likeness of God who loves all. As a matter of fact, membership to a religion, a sect, or an organization is secondary; doing what is sacred, right and true is primary.

Jesus teaches that anyone who gives a thirsty person a cup of water to drink in his name will receive a reward. Offering a glass of water is an ordinary act which can be done easily by any person. The Lord assures us that every single act of kindness that we do to another will not be forgotten by God.

One time, a wonderful couple invited me to help feed the poor at the house of the Missionaries of Charity in Newark. The nuns of Mother Teresa have committed themselves to serve the poorest of the poor by providing them shelter and food on a daily basis, and they welcome people from all walks of life to assist them in this apostolate. All of us who volunteered that day shared a common purpose – to show our love of God by serving the poor. Basically, it had cost us nothing but our time and some of our calories. What greatly amazed me was the fact that at the soup kitchen, we all were working diligently and gladly. By the energy and facial appearance of the nuns and lay volunteers, one can tell easily that these people loved their apostolate. Believe it or not, you always will encounter the most beautiful people in soup kitchens that provide for the poor. If you wish to find it out yourself, or if you like to give meaning to your life, why not try to call the Missionaries of Charity and inquire how you can help them.

A middle-aged woman walked into the slums of a large city. She had two dollars in her purse, had no income, and no place to stay. All she had was a deep conviction that God was calling her to doing something for the poor in that area. And she felt certain that, if the call was really from God, that he would provide all that was needed.

That woman was Mother Teresa, the foundress of the Missionaries of Charity. At the time of her death, Mother Teresa’s missionaries had more than 4,000 sisters, an associated brotherhood of 300 members, and over 100,000 lay volunteers who are working in 610 missions in 123 countries. Among these are hospices and homes for people with HIV/AIDS, leprosy and tuberculosis, soup kitchens, orphanages and schools.

Mother Teresa had nothing to start with but the equivalent of a few loaves and fish, but she made them available to God, and many thousands continue to be nourished and cared for. She had, indeed, done something beautiful for God.

(The story is an adaptation of the story of Jack McArdle)