Today's readings present us with a powerful message about mission and service to others. In the first reading, Amos is confronted by the priest Amaziah, who tells him to leave Bethel and prophesy elsewhere. They don’t want to listen to him in Bethel. Amos replies that it was not his idea to become a prophet:
“I am no prophet nor a prophet’s son, but I am a herdsman and a dresser of sycamore trees…”
But while he was a shepherd, the Lord plucked him out and told him to prophesy to Israel.
I am sure we can sympathise with his feelings. For example in my own vocation, I remember that one of the first things I said to the Lord when I heard him calling me to the priesthood, was, “But Lord, I am only a young man who pumps gasoline into vehicles for a living, surely you can’t be calling me.” And perhaps, you who are listening, have also said at some point, “I am ‘only’ a housewife, or a clerk, or a shop assistant, or a factory worker or a teacher”… But because we have been baptised, Jesus is calling us in our working and living environment to evangelise, to invite people to know him, to love him, to serve him, to follow him. And we can be sure we won’t often get a warm hearing.
In the second reading, St. Paul tells us that we were chosen by God before the foundation of the world to be holy and without blemish. We are destined for adoption as sons and daughters of God, and we have been redeemed by Christ's blood and forgiven our transgressions.
In the Gospel, that same Christ sends out his Twelve apostles two by two to spread the Good News. He gives them authority over unclean spirits and instructs them to take nothing for their journey except what is necessary for their daily needs. “The exorcisms performed by the Twelve are seen as a sign of their authority over evil forces” (Perrin, 1974). They are to wear sandals but not a second tunic, and they are to stay in each house until they leave.
“The instruction to take nothing for their journey except a walking stick is seen as a sign of poverty and simplicity” (Brown, 1978). “The instructions given to the Twelve about wearing sandals but not a second tunic is seen as a sign of humility and asceticism” (Kingsbury, 1989). They are to preach repentance and anoint those who are sick with oil. To this day, the successors of the apostles, and the priests helping them, go out and anoint the sick with the oil of the infirm (which is consecrated during Holy Week by the Bishop of the diocese and distributed to every parish and rectory and friary), where it is used in the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, and I myself have seen wonders of God’s mercy through this powerful gift that Christ has left his Church.
The message of these readings is clear: we are called to serve others, not for our own gain but for the sake of the Kingdom of God. We are to be humble and simple in our approach, like Amos the shepherd, and not concerned with material possessions or earthly recognition.
As Christians, we are blessed to have been chosen by God and destined for adoption as sons and daughters of God. We have been redeemed by Christ's blood and forgiven our sins. And we have been given the task of spreading the Good News to others.
But how do we respond to this call? Do we respond with humility and simplicity, like Amos and the apostles? Or do we get caught up in our own desires and ambitions? Do we prioritize material possessions and earthly recognition over serving others? Do we place our personal comforts as a priority, and neglect the poor?
Today's Gospel reminds us that we are called to be agents of God's mercy and love in the world. We are called to preach repentance and bring healing to those who are sick. We are called to serve others without expecting anything in return.
May we respond to this call with courage and faithfulness, just as Amos did. May we remember that our true treasure is not earthly riches or possessions but the treasure of knowing and serving God.
And may we always keep in mind the words of Jesus: "Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave." May we stay in each other's lives until we leave this world behind, bearing witness to the love and mercy of God, rejoicing with one another in his goodness and in his plan for each and every one of us.
Add comment
Comments