26th Sunday B

Welcome to our Bible
Study
26th
Sunday in the Ordinary Time B
27 September 2015
In preparation for this Sunday’s liturgy
As aid in focusing our homilies and sharing
Prepared by Fr. Cielo R. Almazan, OFM

1st
reading: Numbers 11:25-29
 25 The LORD then came down in the cloud and spoke to
him. Taking some of the spirit that was on Moses, he
bestowed it on the seventy elders; and as the spirit came
to rest on them, they prophesied. 26 Now two men, one
named Eldad and the other Medad, were not in the
gathering but had been left in the camp. They too had
been on the list, but had not gone out to the tent; yet the
spirit came to rest on them also, and they prophesied in
the camp. 27 So, when a young man quickly told Moses,
"Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp," 28
Joshua, son of Nun, who from his youth had been
Moses' aide, said, "Moses, my lord, stop them." 29 But
Moses answered him, "Are you jealous for my sake?
Would that all the people of the LORD were prophets!
Would that the LORD might bestow his spirit on them
all!"
The focus is on prophecy.

Textual Context of Numbers 11:25-29
Part I In the Desert of Sinai: Preparation for the Journey (1,1-
10,10)
Part II On the Journey from Sinai to Moab (10,11-22,1)
Events in the Desert of Paran (10,11-19,22)
Last Stops along the way (20,1-22,1)
Part III On the Plains of Moab: Preparations for Life in the Land
(22,2-36,13)
Used with permission from the PBS /UBS.

1st
reading: Numbers 11:25-29
 25 The LORD then came down
in the cloud and spoke to him.
Taking some of the spirit that
was on Moses, he bestowed it
on the seventy elders; and as
the spirit came to rest on them,
they prophesied. 26 Now two
men, one named Eldad and the
other Medad, were not in the
gathering but had been left in
the camp. They too had been
on the list, but had not gone out
to the tent; yet the spirit came
to rest on them also, and they
prophesied in the camp. 27 So,
when a young man quickly told
Moses, "Eldad and Medad are
prophesying in the camp," 28
Joshua, son of Nun, who from
his youth had been Moses'
aide, said, "Moses, my lord,
stop them." 29 But Moses
answered him, "Are you jealous
for my sake? Would that all the
people of the LORD were
prophets! Would that the LORD
might bestow his spirit on them
all!"
Commentary:
 V.25 talks about the spirit being
bestowed upon the 70 elders, to
prophesy.
 V.26 speaks of a kind of anomaly of
the bestowal of the gift of prophecy.
Two men were not present in the
gathering, yet the spirit went upon
them and they also prophesied.
 Vv.27-28 talk about a young man
trying to stop the two from
prophesying.
 In v.29, Moses reprimands him and
expresses his desire that God bestows
his spirit to all, that all could prophesy.
 Prophecy is a gift given by God in a
mysterious way, not according to our
expectations.

Reflections on the 1st
reading
 God works in a very mysterious way.
 He grants his spirit (of prophecy) to any one
whom he likes.
 God operates beyond our expectations and
limitations.
 We should be thankful to God if he has
bestowed gifts even to unexpected people.
 We should not disqualify them, even if they
have not attended our meetings.
 However, the reading should not be made an excuse
for not attending meetings.

Resp. Psalm 19:8, 10, 12-13, 14
 R. (9a) The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.
 8 The law of the LORD is perfect,
refreshing the soul;
10 the decree of the LORD is trustworthy,
giving wisdom to the simple.
 12 The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever;
the ordinances of the LORD are true, all of them just.
 13 Though your servant is careful of them,
very diligent in keeping them,
Yet who can detect failings?
Cleanse me from my unknown faults!
 14 From wanton sin especially, restrain your servant;
let it not rule over me.
Then shall I be blameless and innocent of serious sin.

Resp. Psalm 19:8, 10, 12-13, 14
 R. (9a) The precepts of the
Lord give joy to the heart.
 8 The law of the LORD is
perfect,
refreshing the soul;
10 the decree of the LORD is
trustworthy,
giving wisdom to the simple.
(R)
12 The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever;
the ordinances of the LORD are
true, all of them just. (R)
 13 Though your servant is
careful of them,
very diligent in keeping them,
Yet who can detect failings?
Cleanse me from my unknown
faults! (R)
14 From wanton sin especially,
restrain your servant;
let it not rule over me.
Then shall I be blameless and
innocent of serious sin. (R)
Commentary
 The psalmist affirms the power of
God’s law.
 Vv.8,10, & 12 enumerate the
characteristics of the law:
 Perfect, refreshes the soul, v.8
 Trustworthy, gives wisdom, v.10
 Endures for ever, true, just v.12
 In v.13, the psalmist tells he is
careful to observe God’s laws.
 Yet, he may still be at fault without
knowing it.
 In v.14, the psalmist prays that God
keeps him out of sin that he may be
blameless, innocent and without
fault.

Reflections on the Psalm
 Some find joy in violating rules.
 They are prone to violating the rights of other people.
 The psalmist finds joy in following the law of God.
 We must be like the psalmist, who enjoys obeying
God’s laws.
 Taking pleasure in obeying laws keeps us away from
sin and destruction.

2nd
reading: James 5:1-6
 1 Come now, you rich, weep and wail over your
impending miseries. 2 Your wealth has rotted away, your
clothes have become moth-eaten, 3 your gold and silver
have corroded, and that corrosion will be a testimony
against you; it will devour your flesh like a fire. You have
stored up treasure for the last days.
 4 Behold, the wages you withheld from the workers who
harvested your fields are crying aloud, and the cries of
the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of
hosts. 5 You have lived on earth in luxury and pleasure;
you have fattened your hearts for the day of slaughter. 6
You have condemned; you have murdered the righteous
one; he offers you no resistance.
The focus is on the miseries of the rich.

2nd
 1 Come now, you rich, weep and wail over your impending miseries.
Miseries enumerated
 2 Your wealth has rotted away,
 your clothes have become moth-eaten,
 3 your gold and silver have corroded,
 and that corrosion will be a testimony against you; it will devour your
flesh like a fire.
 You have stored up treasure for the last days.
Criminal activities of the rich
 4 Behold, the wages you withheld from the workers who
harvested your fields are crying aloud, and the cries of the
harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts.
 5 You have lived on earth in luxury and pleasure; you have
fattened your hearts for the day of slaughter.
 6 You have condemned; you have murdered the righteous one;
he offers you no resistance.
Verses are re-indented
for easier reading.

Textual Context of James 5:1-6
DIVISION ACCORDING TO CONTENTS (TOPICS): (R. Brown)
 1:1: Greetings (Opening Formula)
 1:2-18: The role of trials and temptations
 1:19-27: Words and deeds
 2:1-9: Partiality toward the rich
 2:10-13: Keeping the whole Law
 2:14-26: Faith and works
 3:1-12: Power of the tongue
 3:13-18: Wisdom from above
 4:1-10: Desires as the cause of division
 4: 11-12: Judging one another as judging the Law
 4:13-17: Further arrogant behavior
 5:1-6: Warning to the rich
 5:7-11: Patience till the coming of the Lord
 5:12-20: Admonitions on behavior within the community

2nd
 1 Come now, you rich,
weep and wail over your
impending miseries.
Miseries enumerated
 2 Your wealth has rotted
away,
 your clothes have become
moth-eaten,
 3 your gold and silver
have corroded,
 and that corrosion will be
a testimony against you;
it will devour your flesh
like a fire.
 You have stored up
treasure for the last days.
Commentary
 The text is an indictment of the rich.
 The Letter of James has very
strong feelings against the rich,
who are insensitive to the poor.
 There are a lot of reasons why the
rich should weep and wail.
 Vv.2-3 enumerate what will happen
to their wealth.
 What they have accumulated
will be taken away from them.
 All those that they consider
important will be destroyed.

2nd
Criminal activities of the rich
 4 Behold, the wages you
withheld from the workers
who harvested your fields
are crying aloud, and the
cries of the harvesters
have reached the ears of
the Lord of hosts.
 5 You have lived on earth
in luxury and pleasure;
you have fattened your
hearts for the day of
slaughter.
 6 You have condemned;
you have murdered the
righteous one; he offers
you no resistance.
 The injustices committed by the
rich are not hidden from the
eyes of the author.
 They are enumerated in vv.4-6.
 Withholding of wages of daily
wage earners (= tantamount to
killing those workers, wage now =
food for the morrow)
 Living in scandalous luxury and
pleasure
 Murdering the righteous one
(prophet, good leader in the
community), the one who pinpoints
their mistakes.

Reflections on the 2nd
reading
 The reading is not just for the rich.
 James discourages us all to accumulate wealth
because it does not last.
 We should not spend so much time for what is passing
(transitory).
 We should not be the cause of the sufferings of others
(by withholding our love and support to those who need us).
 We should not be oppressive to the poor.
 We must overhaul our value system.

Gospel reading: Mk 9:38-43. 45. 47-48
 38 John said to him, "Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in
your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us."
39 Jesus replied, "Do not prevent him. There is no one who performs a
mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me. 40
For whoever is not against us is for us. 41 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. 42 "Whoever causes one of these little ones
who believe (in me) to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone
were put around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. 43 If your
hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life
maimed than with two hands to go into Gehenna, into the unquenchable
fire. 45 And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to
enter into life crippled than with two feet to be thrown into Gehenna. 47
And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. Better for you to enter into
the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into
Gehenna, 48 where 'their worm does not die, and the fire is not
quenched.'
The focus is on avoiding scandal.

Textual Context of Mark 9:30-37
Part I The Mystery of the Messiah: Revelation of Jesus' Person (1,14--8,30)
Three sections, each beginning with a summary of the activity of Jesus and a narrative
concerning the disciples and concluding with the adoption of an attitude in regard to
Jesus.
A. Jesus and the Crowds 1,14--3,6 (1,14f, 16-20; 3,60)
B. Jesus and his Own 3,7--6,6a (3,7-12.13-19; 6,1-6a)
C. Jesus, the Disciples and the Gentiles 6,6b- 8,30 (6,6b; 6,7-31; 8,27-30)
Conclusion and Transition 8,27-33
Confession of Peter
First Prophecy of the Passion
Correction of Peter
Part II The Mystery of the Son of Man: Revelation of Jesus' sufferings 8,31-16,8
A. The Way of the Son of Man 8,31--10,52
Indicated by 3 announcements of the fate of the Son of Man and 3 instructions
on the lot of the disciples.
B. Jesus in Jerusalem 11,1--13,37
C. Passion and Resurrection 14,1--16,8
The Later Ending 16,9-20

v.33 They
came to
Capernaum.
Jesus was
teaching here.
Immediate Context (Mk 9)
of our Text
Transfiguration
First Prediction of the
Passion
Healing of a Boy with a
Demon
Second Prediction
Greatest in the Kingdom
Our Text
Marriage
Divorce
Blessing of Children

Welcoming those who don’t belong
 38 John said to him, "Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in
your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us." 39
Jesus replied, "Do not prevent him. There is no one who performs a mighty
deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me. 40 For
whoever is not against us is for us. 41 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.
Avoiding scandals
 42 "Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe (in me) to sin, it
would be better for him if a great millstone were put around his neck and he
were thrown into the sea. 43 If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is
better for you to enter into life maimed than with two hands to go into
Gehenna, into the unquenchable fire. 45 And if your foot causes you to sin,
cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life crippled than with two feet to be
thrown into Gehenna. 47 And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out.
Better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye than with two
eyes to be thrown into Gehenna, 48 where 'their worm does not die, and
the fire is not quenched.'
A simple outline!

Welcoming those who don’t
belong
 38 John said to him,
"Teacher, we saw someone
driving out demons in your
name, and we tried to
prevent him because he
does not follow us." 39
Jesus replied, "Do not
prevent him. There is no
one who performs a mighty
deed in my name who can
at the same time speak ill of
me. 40 For whoever is not
against us is for us. 41
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.
Commentary
 The story in vv.38-40 is similar
to that of the first reading.
 The message is the same: Do
not prevent…
 The reason is different:
 The one who performs
miracles in his name
 Cannot speak against him
 He is not against us, so he is for
us.
 In v.41, God rewards those
who give a cup of water to the
disciples, because of him.

Avoid scandals
 42 "Whoever causes one of
these little ones who believe (in
me) to sin, it would be better for
him if a great millstone were put
around his neck and he were
thrown into the sea. 43 If your
hand causes you to sin, cut it
off. It is better for you to enter
into life maimed than with two
hands to go into Gehenna, into
the unquenchable fire. 45 And if
your foot causes you to sin, cut
it off. It is better for you to enter
into life crippled than with two
feet to be thrown into Gehenna.
47 And if your eye causes you
to sin, pluck it out. Better for
you to enter into the kingdom of
God with one eye than with two
eyes to be thrown into
Gehenna, 48 where 'their worm
does not die, and the fire is not
quenched.'
 On avoiding scandals, the author (or
Jesus) uses exaggerations.
 In practice, the Church has not taken
vv.42-43.45.47-48 literally.
 But these verses should be enough to
warn us of the gravity of the act of
leading others and oneself to sin.
 Our relationships in the community
must be characterized by respect.
 We join the community (church) in
order to be holy, to be helped in our
search for God.
 Scandalizing acts and attitudes on the
part of church leaders and members is
a grave injustice to the Church.
 Vv.44 and 46 do not exist in the Bible.

Reflections on the gospel reading
 The gospel reading is against ostracizing anyone just
because “he/she does not belong to our inner circle.”
 God may be using other people to do his plans. Let us
not forbid them.
 As Christians, we must be accommodating.
 It is a grievous sin to scandalize (leading other people into
sin, to leave the community of faith, to renounce the faith).
 We better watch our words and actions when dealing
with the other members of the community, especially the
new ones.
 We must avoid occasions for sins. We stay away from
temptations. We don’t play with fire.

Tying the 3 readings and the Psalm
 The first reading talks about prophecy and
forbids exclusivism.
 The psalm talks about following God’s rules.
 The second reading serves as a warning to
those who discriminate against the poor, and
enrich themselves.
 The gospel reading is strong against ostracizing
others and giving scandals.
 We focus on the proper attitude on welcoming
others to our fold.

How to develop your homily / sharing
 Describe how in your community / church,
some members try to exclude others simply
because “they don’t belong.”
 Enumerate the reasons why some members
have left the Catholic Church.
 This bogs down to a single culprit: poor and
scandalous attitude.
 It turns off a lot of new members, who might be
more decent than the old ones.

 The first reading tells us that God can use
people who do not belong to our inner circle.
 Some gifted people should not be disqualified
because one time they did not appear in our
meeting.
 We have no right to exclude anyone in our
community for trivial reasons.

 The psalm affirms that God loves the God-
fearing people.
 God-fearing people keep God’s rules.
 They trust that God’s laws are for their own
benefit.
 There is pleasure in obeying God’s law.

 The second reading warns rich and powerful
people for their excesses.
 They will be punished for their injustices
(withholding wages, putting the innocent into jail, etc.)
 What they have accumulated and stored
through the years will soon become naught.
 What a waste of time “enjoying false values and
pleasures and oppressing the poor!”

 The gospel reading tells us never to ostracize
anyone, especially if he is doing God’s work.
 Whoever does what is right in Jesus’ name
belongs to God.
 The gospel also tells us to remove all occasions
of sin.
 As we are not supposed to lead others to sin,
we are not supposed to induce ourselves to sin.

 Let not our churches, families and offices be
places to commit sin.
 These are supposed to be places where we can
practice holiness.
 People gather together into groups or
associations because of their need to belong.
 Christians are here to foster healthy and
welcoming relationships among themselves.

 In the eucharist, we are called to celebrate
fraternity.
 Jesus welcomes all of us in this sacrament who
practice justice and keep God’s laws. He is
generous with his love.
 Those who cause scandal are not entitled to
receive communion. It is contradiction in terms.
 The right disposition to the eucharist leads to
integration of our communities and families.

Our Context of Sin and Grace
 Pasaway
 Exclusivism
 Discriminatory
 Xenophobic
 Ostracizing
 Nationalism, racism
 Elitism
 Scandalous
 Hospitable
 Welcoming
 Accommodating
 Broadminded
 Networking
 Ecumenical
 Dialogical

Suggested Songs
 Glory to God, new (OFM)
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vV9SIPLUDFM
 We are family.
 We are one in the Spirit.
 Sharing
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1ij6D6EyeI

26th Sunday B

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