What does it mean
to act in the name of God?
In the Book of Numbers, Moses needs help: he’s having
trouble dealing with the people of Israel, so God takes some of the spirit that is on Moses and bestows it on seventy elders – even on the two who are absent that
day, Eldad and Medad, who then go on
to prophesy in the camp. Joshua objects: Moses,
my lord, stop them. But Moses knows
that God has worked beyond human expectations, laying God’s spirit on all seventy men, and they are changed by
it: they are able to play a part in
God’s activity, sharing Moses’ burden and acting in the name of God, for the
sake of other. That spirit will enable
them to embrace the precepts of the Lord described
in Psalm 19, precepts that give joy to the heart, allowing them
full participation in God’s plan.
Jesus’ disciple
John is similarly misguided. Teacher, he says in Mark’s Gospel, we saw someone driving out demons in your
name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us. John’s thinking is out of focus; Jesus works
beyond human expectations, allowing the man to perform mighty deeds in his name. Look at the good that is done in my name,
Jesus is telling John – transcend the limitations you have set on these
circumstances and be willing to change, be willing to see the positive effect
that that man might have on another. And
beware any limitations that might cause you to do harm! The community to which James writes is not
all that different: they, too, are misguided,
unclear about the effect their actions are having on others. They have blinded themselves to reality,
living only for self, ignoring the cries
of the harvesters who suffer because of their actions, and the corrosion of their hearts will be a testimony against them. James’ job is to help them see clearly, that
they might act with justice in the name of God.
God always works
beyond our limited human expectations, and we aren’t always aware of God’s
actions. But if we strive to live in a
way that brings joy to God, aware of the good we and others are capable of,
then we will be able to participate
in God’s plan, and act in God’s name. Would that God might bestow his spirit on
us all!
This post is based
on Fr. Pat’s Scripture class.
