“Are you jealous for my sake? If only all the people of the LORD were prophets! If only the LORD would bestow his spirit on them!” (Numbers 11:29). Moses rebuked his aide Joshua when the latter did not want anyone to be competing with his master’s work of prophecy.
26th Sunday in OT. Cycle B-2021. 26 Sept 2021. Numbers 11:25-29 + James 5:1-6 + Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48.
“You shall worship no other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God” (Exodus 34:14 RSVCE).
I get hurt …
When atheists call belief in God a social malady;
When the rich sneer faith in God a crutch;
When the rich attribute poverty to trust in Providence;
When comedians ridicule the Name of God;
When visual artists desecrate things sacred; and
When celebrities flaunt the Laws of God as old-fashioned.
I get upset …
When pastors distort the message of God
When the faithful pollute the respect for God.
When I keep falling into the sin I detest.
When I lose access to, and grace from, the Sacraments.
When I am afraid to stand up for my faith; and
When I am timid to speak out for my God.
I get jealous…
“Because zeal for Your House has consumed me,
I am scorned by those who scorn You” (Psalm 69:10).
So here I am to make amends,
for the jealousy I suffer for the Lord’s sake.
So here I am to make reparations,
for the world that upsets my Jealous GOD. VSS
Picture Credit: Backdrop–“Mona Lisa,” a painting by Leonardo da Vinci; Jealous Yellow Face, by bodyandsoul.com.au; Jealous Green Face, by jealous-face-clipart-5.
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