I initially wrote this as an article for the Knights See See newsletter. The reflection is from the readings for this Sunday. I think it works here just as well.
In the first reading for the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time, we hear the elders of the Israelites complaining to Moses that there were two men prophesizing that were not among their group. In the Gospel, Jesus heard complaints from the 12 apostles about a man exorcising demons in the name of Jesus who was not an apostle. Both Moses and Jesus reply to those complaining in a similar way. Moses said, “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!” Jesus said, “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. For whoever is not against us is for us.”
Both readings clearly teach that the invitation from God to spread the Good News of Jesus, to continue the work of God from the moment of Creation is not entrusted to just a select few or to some ecclesial caste, or, for that matter, some specific religious tradition. In other words, it is not to just those whose names begin with a Most Reverend (Bishop), Reverend (Priest) of Reverend Mr (Deacon) that are to proclaim the Good News of Jesus in word and action, but to all the baptized. Similarly, the sacred work of Jesus is entrusted to those outside the Catholic tradition, Dr Martin Luther King Jr, Dietrich Bonhoeffer (Baptist minister and Lutheran minister respectively), and even outside the Christian religion, Rabbi Martin Buber and Mahatma Ghandi (Jewish and Hindu respectively). As Pope Francis has taught, there are atheists who will enter Heaven long before many Christians.
What is the primary message taught and lived by all these groups? If one were to study the religions of the world, the common denominator, stated in many different ways, is “Love God with all your heart, mind, and strength. And, love your neighbor as your yourself.” Sound vaguely familiar? It is the heart of Jesus’ message and mission he taught and lived. The days of passing the religious buck to the ordained and religious is over (“Let Father do it. Let Sister do it.”). As Knights of Columbus, this is our primary purpose as an organization. As baptized Catholics this is the primary goal of our lives. And this sacred mission is entrusted to ALL by God.
