Our first reading this weekend focuses our attention on the universality of God; His universal call to all peoples, all whom He has created and desires to have come home to Him in Eternal Life. The Book of Numbers also directs us to consider the power of God’s Holy Spirit that it is not limited by time and space but rather as is God is semi-eternal; in today’s first reading we see that the Spirit of God went beyond the “tent” where the seventy-two had gathered. The power of God is everywhere, it is in the Church most assuredly (the tabernacle), it is in the Word of God, it is in the Eucharistic meal, and it is in the people of God. His power—the Holy Spirit—at His direction dwells within each of us.

Therefore, you and I cannot limit God in any manner at all. His power can reach into us in any locale, at anytime and for all purposes. The only power of limitations comes from our refusal to believe and accept the Grace of God from His Sacraments and His Word.

Our second reading this weekend is the Book of James. In it we hear that we are all called to have Heavenly Wisdom, that is to have more than just simple knowledge, a collection of “know how” but rather a greater understanding of what is important in life—what has an impact on the present and the future, even the unforeseeable future. The question is are we to spend our life in this world focused only on the material items of today—wealth, power and collectables? Or are we called to come to understand what is so important that it transcends time and space? The Catholic faith calls us to consider the excellence of the other and not just our own wants and needs. James is very clear on that, and his message in this reading is to seek the common good by extending ourselves to others and their good.

Mark’s Gospel takes these first two readings and combines them into the bigger picture. Today we are called to see the universality of God’s care, concern and love – that it is meant for all peoples, even the ones we do not care for or might even have a deep seated anger towards. In the gospel, Jesus does not limit His power nor His gift of it to all. He calls us to be on one “team,” humanity. Jesus is clear when He says, “For whoever is not against us is for us.” We are one. We need to act not only as one but for one.

The gospel also calls us to do everything in God’s Name. Whether we are giving a simple glass of water to one in need or whether we are feeding the hungry, praying for the sick or lost, or teaching the ignorant, when we do it in God’s Name then we are acting righteously. And that puts us on the right path.

The path to God commands us not just to do the right thing but asks us to lead others to the righteous path. You see, it is not just about saving our own souls but by example to lead others to the Will of God. So, it goes to say, as the gospel notes, if you lead another astray then the it would be wiser for you to get rid of the thing that causes the evil in one’s life then be indifferent. I saw a sign the other day while I was in my car and it said, “God commands nonviolence!” It made me think and certainly God does demand nonviolence. But He also commands responsibility, which is the central part of today’s readings, to control our passions and seek our true identity, that we are made in the divine image and likeness of God and so He calls us to a higher standard. For the last three weeks our gospels have been illustrating to us the identity of God and our call to follow Him in the things we say and do in our own lives.

Today, we hear about the universal nature or essence of who God is. He is Love. He is Hope. He is always seeking the excellence of His creation. And we are called to join in with Him as we seek to be His Disciples. “Come, follow me” is a powerful and difficult call. It will challenge us to be counter cultural and not just one of the many. It will challenge us to stand out from the crowd and to take risks. It will even challenge us in our personal, familial relationships when we stand with Christ and against the crowds, the culture.

But the rewards will be great. They will be perfection, and they will be Eternal. Complete, unending joy and happiness and a celebration that is beyond all understanding and unending. Unconditional and forever and ever. What an amazing dividend for today’s investment.