The readings for the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B remind us not to exclude or hinder others who are doing the work of God. The first reading tells of two men receiving the spirit to prophesy even though they were not present when the group who were to receive the spirit met. This made some of the Isrealites complain. And in the gospel , the apostles are concerned because a man not in their company was driving out demons in Jesus’ name. But Jesus tells them not to stop him.
These readings could lead to a discussion about pride and jealousy or to consider the relationship between the Catholics and other religions.
Daily Mass Readings for the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B
- First Reading – Numbers 11:25-29: “Now two men, one named Eldad and the other Medad, were not in the gathering but had been left in the camp. They too had been on the list, but had not gone out to the tent; yet the spirit came to rest on them also, and they prophesied in the camp.”
- Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 19: “The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.”
- Second Reading – James 5:1-6: “Behold, the wages you withheld from the workers who harvested your fields are crying aloud; and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts.”
- Gospel – Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48: “. There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me. For whoever is not against us is for us”
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Resources
Better Together Lesson Plan
This lesson plan on working together focuses on Mark chapter 9. It helps youth understand that we need to cooperate to build the Kingdom of God.
Litany of Humility
This prayer asks for the grace to be humble, and to let go of our own need to be important, so that Jesus Christ can be exalted.
Prayer Based on Psalm 19
This prayer, based on Psalm 19, praises God for His glory and for the gift of His law. A printable copy of the prayer is included.
Social Media Graphics and Quotes
“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!”
Numbers 11:29
Today the Church is called to go out to the streets of the existential peripheries to heal the wounded and seek the lost, without prejudices or fear, without proselytism, but ready to expand her tent to welcome everyone in an ever larger WE.
Pope Francis
All of us are brothers and sisters! Let us pray to the Most High that, after this time of trial, there may no longer be “others”, but rather, a great “we”, rich in diversity.
Pope Francis
Homilies and Reflections
United We Stand
In his homily for this Sunday, Bishop Robert Barron encourages us to not be driven by our egos. Pride and jealousy in the Church makes it easy for the Enemy to “divide and conquer”.
Christian communion built by welcoming, not dividing
In his Angelus address, Pope Francis reminds us to avoid the false closeness of a group-think mentality.
Dividing the Field of the Moment
This reflection from Fr. Richard Rohr points out that “We compare, and as soon as we compare, we compete.”
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