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GO FORTH! - 15TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (7/11/2021)
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Amos 7:12-15
Psalm 85
Ephesians 1:3-14
Mark 6:7-13
GO FORTH!
In last week’s first reading, we heard the call of Ezekiel to be a prophet. This week there is the prophetic call of Amos. We are also told about Jesus sending out the Twelve Apostles on their first missionary journey. Today gives us a reminder that the Lord instructs us to “occupy till I come” (Luke 19:13), that is, to keep busy trying to spread the gospel and build the kingdom of God until we see the Lord.
AMOS
Amos was called to the prophetic ministry in the 8th century BC. Although he was from the southern kingdom of Judah, he was called to preach in the northern kingdom of Israel. His main themes were justice, God’s almighty power, and divine judgment.
In today’s reading, when the priest at the shrine at Bethel tried to dismiss Amos and send him back to Judah, Amos protested that he was not a “professional prophet,” but rather a “shepherd and dresser of sycamores.” The Lord called him from his ordinary job and told him, “Go, prophesy to my people Israel.” The Lord chooses whomever he wills and sends them to perform his work. There is an old saying: “The Lord doesn’t call the qualified; he qualifies the called.” I think Amos would agree!
GOSPEL
Today’s gospel is rather specific about the mission of the Twelve. It is interesting that the first thing mentioned here is “authority over unclean spirits,” signaling the importance of their ministry of exorcism. Further on, it is clear that they also “preached repentance” and “anointed many with oil and healed them.”
Jesus seems to lay stress on “packing light” for their journey. That’s something I wish I could do better when traveling for ministry!
It is noteworthy that the Apostles are specifically told what to do if they are not welcomed or listened to: “Leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them.” We recall that Paul and Barnabas did this very thing when rejected by the Jews in Antioch (cf. Acts 13:51).
EPHESIANS
The second reading is a “classic” passage – the beautiful prayer of St. Paul in chapter 1 of Ephesians. He emphasizes that God chose us in Christ before the world was even made and destined us to be adopted children of God through Jesus Christ. Paul says that in Christ: “we have redemption by his blood, the forgiveness of our transgressions…”
In the opinion of some scholars, Ephesians represents a “high point” in the development of St. Paul’s theology, in which he brings out the “big picture” of God’s total plan for us in creation, redemption, and eventual life in glory with Christ in heaven. The “intention of (God’s) will” is that “we might exist for the praise of his glory.” A lofty destiny is ours! We can never be reminded enough of God’s mysterious plan to “sum up all things in Christ, in heaven and on earth.”
COME AND GO
I recall a teaching of Bishop Joseph McKinney, of happy memory, saying that the gospel could be summed up in just two words, “COME” and “GO.” We come to Jesus seeking forgiveness, salvation, and healing. Then we go, as he sends us forth as apostles and disciples to continue his mission of evangelization in the earth. That is today’s message as we are reminded of our glorious destiny, but also of our task while still on earth: “Occupy till I come!”
