September 27, Twenty-Sixth Sunday

The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.--Psalm 19:9

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

That Surprising Spirit

In today's readings, some believers have difficulty with the unpredictable Holy Spirit. The Spirit isn't operating according to the plan -- some human plan! And so we hear Joshua complaining to Moses that the Holy Spirit has touched and inspired Eldad and Medad even though these two men were not in the same location as the other elders being filled with the Spirit's gifts. In the story from John's Gospel, several disciples try to get Jesus to stop someone casting out demons in His name. Why? Because, as they tell Jesus, this healer ''does not follow us.''

Both Moses and Jesus explain that these good things happening are not to be feared or squelched. In John's Gospel (3:8), Our Lord tells Nicodemus that, like the wind, the Holy Spirit ''blows where it will.''

Prayer: O Holy Spirit, help me to welcome the blessings and surprises You shower all around me.