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15th Sunday B
Amos 7:12-15
Amos was a native of Judah, whose work had been that of a shepherd and caretaker of trees. He is not a prophet by trade but Yahweh had missioned him to Israel, the northern kingdom, (vv 14-15).
Because of his prophecy about the demise of the king and the conquest of Israel (v11), he was expelled from the sanctuary.
But he is a prophet not by his own choice, he could neither cease to be one by another’s decision. Being sent he is not free to opt in or out. His word will be the same wherever he is located.
Mark 6:7-13
Mark’s account of missioning the twelve, two by two according to custom, comes immediately after Jesus’ rejection at Nazareth. Their mission is to perform exorcisms and healing of the sick (vv7,13). The apostles’ preaching is a call to repentance in light of the kingdom’s arrival, as John the Baptist (1:4) and Jesus himself (1:15). The austerity in travel enabled them to move unhindered, underscoring the urgency of their task. The local host community was to provide for their needs (Mt 10:10; 1 Cor 9:6 – 14); this, coupled with their sense of trust, excluded the carrying of money (v8f). In not leaving the house of lodging, there was no temptation to seek better quarters (v10). The possibility of not being accepted (as was true of Amos) should be considered. The shaking of dust from the feet (v11) was a symbol of rejection and hopefully a thought-provoking gesture. In refusing hospitality to the twelve, the people were refusing the gospel.
Eph 1:3-14
While Amos and Mark give insight into the nature of the mission, Paul’s letter deals with its content, and what is proclaimed in the mission. Like the Hebrew blessing of God or “berakah”, this Christian hymn highlights the Trinitarian motif: it is the work of the Father (vv3 – 6, 11f) acting through his Son (vv7 – 10) to bind humanity and all of creation to himself in the Holy Spirit (vv13). This is God’s mystery of salvation, redounding to his glory through the visible effectiveness of the grace that comes through Christ (v6; Col 1:13), made possible by his death, forgiving and redeeming creation from the domain of sin. The hymn reminds us as well of our election as God’s adopted children and at the same time its cost, and our concomitant responsibility.
Today the Church has made it very clear that all of us are missioned. More than what we say or teach is the message of our lives. In the face of opposition and rejection, may we all remain steadfast in practicing our prophetic role. Amen.
