Today is the feast of Saints Cosmas and Damian, twin brothers who were both physicians. By accepting no payment for their services, they attracted many to the Christian faith. These two saints are my birthday patron saints, interestingly, born in Arabia, as was I. Not much is known of them except that they suffered martyrdom in Syria during the persecution of the Emperor Diocletian.
Moving on to today’s readings, it’s interesting to note the amazing similarities between the First Reading and the Gospel.
The Spirit of the Lord
While the Israelites were sojourning in the desert, Moses had been communicating with God and was filled with the Spirit of the Lord. The Lord saw fit to bestow some of this spirit on the seventy elders who were chosen to help lead the people. As they received the Spirit, they began to prophesy. Two other chosen elders, Eldad and Medad, who were still in the camp, away from Moses and the other elders, also received this Spirit and began prophesying in the camp! When Joshua, the aide of Moses, heard of this, he became indignant, but Moses, in all humility, calmly questioned 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!”
In today’s Gospel, John tattles to Jesus that someone they don’t know (i.e. not in the band of disciples) had driven out demons in Jesus’ name! He was just as jealous as Joshua had been of Moses. However, he was informed by Jesus “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.”
Jesus continues to admonish him saying “for whoever is not against us is for us.”
God Equips Who He Wishes
I think sometimes, we, as faithful followers of Christ, tend to have this righteous indignation too. We might feel that we are following all the precepts of the Lord, a bit like the Pharisees did. And maybe are not as patient or compassionate with those around us. Remember, that God can freely choose and equip whoever He wishes. We are all spokes in His wheel. And we should perform the tasks assigned to us, based on our talents and capabilities.
Furthermore, we ought to thank God, who freely gives his spirit to all people. Through God’s free gifts, people of all nations can resist evil and manifest His true spirit in their lives and actions.
