In the story of the first reading, two elders Eldad and Medad, missed the prophet-ordination ceremony but still received the spirit and went ahead to prophesy. There is a contrast between Joshua's response to this and Moses' response. Joshua objected to these two men prophesying while Moses on the other hand had no issues with this. 

        Who was Joshua? Why was he so concerned about these people prophesying without permission? Joshua was Moses’ aide and knew that he'll inherit authority when Moses finally dies. Was he the power-hungry type? Moses, speaks from decades of experience. Is he going to get upset because two guys were prophesying without a kind of union card ( a card certifying personal membership in good standing in a labor union)? No! Moses has a much bigger vision. He wants all the people to prophesy. I guess, if Moses lived in our time, if he were to come into this parish church, he will still desire same that we all prophesy. Moses lived ahead of his time 

        Jesus Christ who lived hundreds of years after Moses desired the same. He was anointed priest, prophet and King. And since we are all baptized into him, we also by our baptism are made priests, Prophets and kings. 

        Jesus selected 12 aides. But still desired that others could do the work. He sent out 72 disciples in pairs. But these were not seemingly enough. He certainly desired more than these. His wish to bring more people on board is expressed today. When his inner circle saw a guy driving out demons in the name of Jesus and tried to stop him, Jesus cautions them never to do that again. 

        The two responses from Moses and Jesus teach us that one person cannot do the work of God alone and no should feel jealous that other people are also called to assist. In a parish setting like ours, we have many hands onboard in the various activities. 

        One of the biggest worries of any leader is to see to it that there is no leadership gap after he or she has left power. All leaders desire to see continuity of what they toiled for. When more people buy their vision, it is a sign of success. 

        To be a Christian is to be follower of Jesus; therefore, each and every one of us here contributes to the growth of  Christendom and should desire and work and pray for its future growth. Now let me ask: Are you worried that many people are leaving the church, that the pews are becoming empty? What are you doing to make sure the faith stays on in your family? That the faith stays in this parish? Are you worried that many laws are passed by governments that hinder the activities of the church? 

        Each time any of us fails to show up to church, we are failing to support the church. When we are absent from any event that needs our presence in this church, there is a wider implication: we are failing to strengthen our faith and strengthen our parish and the whole Christendom. We should all desire and pray for more Christian men and women, Christian couples, Christian youths, pray and support the missionaries who go to preach the faith away from their homes. 

        Today, we are just from the barbeque, one of the activities that is marking the celebration of the 120 years of the existence of this parish. All of us contribute for the functioning of the church, for growth of our parish, but we know other people go an extra mile to sacrifice time, energy, resources, talents for this to happen, for us to be in this church and pray. We appreciate all those who did so in the last 120 years. 
Come one, come all, let us build the Christian family.

        May Mary, Mother of the Church, Star of the new evangelization and Queen of the Rosary pray for us.

26th Sunday Year B, September 26, 2021
Fr. Casmia Maria Bello