26TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (YEAR B)

1st Reading               Numbers 11: 25-29

Psalm                          19: 7. 9. 11-12. 13 (R. 8ab)

R//: "The precepts of the Lord are right; they gladden the heart

2nd Reading            James 5: 1-6

Gospel                       Mark 9: 38-43. 45. 47-48.

SHARED LEADERSHIP IN AMPLIFYING GOD'S VOICE

Beloved, today is the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B) and the last Sunday of September. Indeed, Ebenezer, "thus far the Lord has helped us" (1 Sam. 7: 12). The Word of God for this Sunday shifts our focus to two significant aspects of leadership — decentralising power and sharing of burdens. Let us quickly dive into the readings.

The first reading is from Numbers 11: 25-29. To understand the designated passage, we need only to take the whole of chapter 11 into consideration. The Israelites have arrived in the desert, and there is a problem with food. This problem made them remember the table of Egypt. They complained to the extent that the MANNA given them was not regarded, thus, "we have nothing to look forward to but his manna" (Nm. 11: 6). They cried and sought meat, and Moses had to bear this burden alone. In fact, this worried Moses, and he said to the Lord, "I cannot carry all this people by myself, for they are too heavy for me" (Nm. 11: 14). God asked Moses to assemble 70 elders of Israel. These people will help Moses to carry the burden of the people. Additionally, God will provide meat for them. 

The passage we are reading today is a fulfilment of God's word to Moses in Numbers 11: 16-17. Parallels to this passage are Exodus 18: 13-27 and Deuteronomy 1: 9-18. Amazingly, the first difference between the parallels and today's passage is that Numbers 11: 25- 29 mentions 70 elders. The criteria for selecting the 70 is not told. However, with the use of the word "elders," we can glimpse. Elders, as used in the Hebrew text, is zaqen (זָקֵן). Zaqen denotes an old man. In Hebrew understanding, old age is associated with wisdom and experience, leadership and authority, and sanctity and holiness. That is the close criteria we find given by the parallels, thus, "able and God-fearing men and trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain" (Exod. 18: 21) and "leaders of the tribes, wise and reputable" (Deut. 1: 15). 

Why 70 of such people? The number 70 is a multiplication of 7 by 10. 7 is a number for perfection. Perfection, because creation was done in 7 days (Gen. 1-2) and the word good (tôb) is applied to it. Tôb (good) could also mean perfect. 10 is a number for completeness. We remember that the commandments were 10 (Exod. 10: 1-17; Deut. 5: 6-21). 10 is the number for completeness. What is happening by the gathering of 70 men is a combination of perfection and completeness. Only God possesses these. The choice of 70 men is God's decision, and it is a divine number. It will connote divine fullness and spiritual completeness. The people chosen by Moses at God's command are people who are set aside by God, competent enough to help Moses, and can prophesy. The prophecies they give are not necessarily the announcement of future events but proclaim what the Lord can do. 

These people receive a share of Moses' spirit. They receive a little authority from Moses to help him in his administration. These 70 people were to gather at the tent. The problem to be resolved was that two men, Eldad and Medad, were not present, suggesting that 68 were at the tent. Eldad and Medad were in the camp and could not go. The reason for their inability to attend that gathering was not told. However, what they also prophesied in the camp. 

The real issue is about their being counted among the 70, not necessarily their being present at the tent. They being counted is what is important. I want to suggest two reasons for this. The first is that God mentioned 70, not 68. The two might be inhibited by issues beyond their control. They should not be left out. God's word would not be truly fulfilled if 68 were made to prophesy. The 70 is important to God. This indicates to us that it is not the location that counts but the person. Within the context of the reading, the Lord calls persons not places. 

The second reason is that if all 70 were near the tent, the people in the camp may assume that it is the work of Moses to make the elders sing God's praises. The fact that two remained in the camp and they also prophesied shows that it is God who is at work, not Moses. Therefore, there was no need to report Eldad and Medad to Moses. It is God at work. 

Sometimes, we quickly would want to shut others up because they are not part of the gathered group. There are those outside the gathered group who are counted. It is God's activity that they also prophesy. It is not within our domain to report. Let us allow others to sing the praises and might of God. 

It is a similar narrative that is told by the Gospel passage from Mark 9: 38-43, 45, 47-48. The passage is a continuation of last Sunday's Gospel about service as the means to leadership. Today, in the same location, Capernaum, Jesus responds to another act of the disciples. Jesus told them that "whoever is not against us is for us" (Mk. 9: 40). 

This is in response to disciples' quest to prevent a man who was not one of them and was driving out demons in Jesus' name. This also draws on the idea that we must focus on our tasks and leave the rest to God. It must be noted that members of the Church must pay attention not to cause "little ones" to stumble in their faith. "Little ones" reminds us of the children from last Sunday's Gospel (Mk. 9: 36-37) but can also refer to all believers, perhaps even someone working outside the bounds of the Christian community. 

Pax et Bonum.