Amos 7:12-15; Psalms 85; Ephesians 1:3-14; Mark 6:7-13
Called, Chosen, and Sent
Dear friends, today is the 15th Sunday in ordinary time. After Jesus had gathered several followers, he chose some of them to partake in his ministry. Every Christian is called, chosen, and sent to partake of this ministry wherever he or she is. We received this call when we were baptized, married, professed our vows, ordained, or elected to leadership positions. The Holy Scriptures present many examples of people called, elected, and sent by God to speak on his behalf. for example, Moses, Samuel, Elijah, and Amos in the Old Testament; and Mary, Joseph, Peter, and Paul in the New Testament. As we hear in the readings today, our mission is to do the will of God even when doing so might put us in opposition with the world’s mighty and wealthy or bring us hatred and persecution.
In the first reading, we read about Amos, an ordinary person from the Southern kingdom of Judah who was Called by God to prophesy to the people of the Northern kingdom of Israel. His message was directed to the rich, especially the temple priests who enriched themselves from the offerings of the poor and denied them justice. When the high priest Amaziah heard the preaching of Amos he got irritated. We sometimes behave like Amaziah. We get irritated when our wickedness is pointed out. We hate people who are courageous enough to tell us that we are wrong. We like it when people tell us what we want to hear, not the truth. This is why many have taken paths that have led them to self-destruction. We have ignored the prophetic voice of the true messengers of God and instead followed those who soothe our emotions. We want to listen to them especially when they tell us who our enemies are and how they will help us get rich. This type of religiosity makes many people spend a lot of time chasing miracles instead of working to earn a decent living. Are you one of those people?
The Amaziahs of today oppose anyone who tries to expose their dark side just like Amaziah did to Amos. The problem we have is that true prophets are rare to find nowadays. Greed for wealth and power has corrupted those who were called to be messengers of the truth. They have made pacts with the rich and the powerful, to get riches and become influential in society. Paul reminds us that we are called in Christ to be holy and charitable partaking in his mission of Christ to sanctify the world.
In the Gospel reading, Jesus is sending the twelve men that he had chosen among his followers to accompany him on their first mission. He instructs them not to carry any provisions for the journey but trust in God’s providence. No traveling bag, bread, or money but a staff and sandals for their feet. They were very shocked because in those days travelers had to carry with them provisions for the journey. They must have felt very vulnerable. They had to depend totally on the generosity of the people to whom they preached. It is only when we are vulnerable that we can concentrate on the mission of God. Today, many have abandoned the mission and spend most of their time amassing wealth and securing the future. They leave the flock hungry and thirsty for the word of God because they are busy.
Jesus knew well that the twelve would face many challenges in the mission. In some places, they would be received well and in other places rejected. Jesus instructed them to move on to another house or another town whenever they faced rejection. Jesus wanted the disciples to understand the non-violence character of the mission he was entrusting them with. They were not to engage in arguments or fighting but instead preach only to the conscience of those who were disposed to receive the Gospel.
Conversion cannot be imposed on the people; it is the Holy Spirit who converts the hearts in his own time and ways. The listener needs to be attracted by the message and when he or she becomes convinced, make a free decision to convert. Today, preachers are using all manner of ways to attract crowds, including faking miracles purporting to heal and make people rich. They have no concern for the families or neighbours of the people. They do not care what the crowds do afterward. These will only remain crowds with no true converts to transform the society, just like the many crowds who followed Jesus because of the bread he gave and on Good Friday cried aloud calling for his crucifixion.
My dear friends, God’s grace is priceless. We must seek it with sincere hearts and acts of faith. All of us are called, chosen, and sent to accomplish a particular mission in the world. Have you found your mission on Earth? Are you working towards the realization of this mission?
Have a blessed Sunday.
Fr. Lawrence Muthee, SVD
SVD JAMBO KENTAN 