With Opened Bible
Outside the Tent of Meeting
“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. (Numbers 11:26)
The first reading of this Sunday is a question of sharing the power of the ministry within the people of God. The Spirit that led Moses was shared with elders to assist him in the leadership of Israel. Here is the origin of the Sanhedrin, the seventy or twelve (counting Eldad and Medad who were not present in the Tent of Meeting) (Numbers 11:25-29)
Despite their absence, they received their share of ministry because they were chosen in advance to benefit from it. The Spirit descended upon them, and they prophesied outside the Tent. Joshua refused to silence them since he knew God's deep intentions.
A long time after this happy event, the apostles of Jesus did not learn the lesson of the past. They saw a man (not part of their group) performing miracles in Jesus's name. They wanted to stop him. (Mark 9:38-48) But Jesus replied: "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." (Mark 9:39)
In both stories of this Sunday, an existential truth must challenge us. The Spirit of God is free, and no one can control it (not even the Church of Christ): "The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." (John 3:8)
In Christian territory, jealousy has no place. Only the service of God and humanity counts. God is the Head of his Spirit. He gives it to whom he pleases. "In truth, I see that God shows no partiality. Rather, in every nation, whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him." (Acts of the Apostles 10,34-35) The two elders, Eldad and Medad, were outside the Tent of Meeting, yet they received their share of the ministry. This miraculous event serves as a powerful reminder of Jesus's words about the unity of his Church: "I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd." (John 10,16) We are all part of this one flock, united in God's plan.
The God of Jesus Christ has always desired the salvation of all humanity. He generously bestows his Spirit on all those he has chosen since the foundation of the world, including each one of us in this divine plan.
