Sometimes people experience the hand of God at work through “official” agents, like priests, parish staff members, and trained volunteers. Sometimes people experience the hand of God at work through surprising and unexpected persons.
This kind of difference in reflected in the readings today. Joshua complains to Moses that some people are speaking as prophets even though they were not commissioned to do so. In the gospel John complains to Jesus that someone is doing healing works who is not part of the companions of Jesus. Both Moses and Jesus speak about the expansiveness of God’s love and power. We must be careful not to put limits on how and through whom God can work in healing and loving ways.
How have you experienced God’s work through “official’ agents? How have you experienced the work of God in surprising and unexpected ways?