Amos 7:12 – 15/Psalm 84:9 – 14/Eph. 1:3 – 14/ Mark 6:7 – 13

The first reading from the Prophet Amos as we have heard present to us the interactions between Amaziah and the prophet Amos. The real issue at stake between these two leaders is the disagreement of the priest (Amaziah) trying to enlist the King to his side against the prophet. So, the accusation that Amaziah brings against Amos is that of treason (that he has conspired against the King).

Amos’ defense is that he too is a Shepherd, because in ancient Israel all leaders are considered Shepherd. Amos was among the flock when he was called, this recalls the vocation story of Israel most important figures. For instance, Moses was leading the flock of his Father in – law on Mt. Horeb when he was called (Ex.3:1ff). David was taking care of the flock of his father Jesse when he was hand – picked(1sam.16) In fact, in Amos 1:1 he is called “one of the Shepherd”. God’s choices are not accidental, rather it is by Divine Providence.

Now, Amaziah is a Shepherd, Jeroboam is a Shepherd, so also is Amos. Each one has his mandate from God. The division and power play between these two leaders is only unfortunate. God does not call the qualified – rather, He calls those who might be none – entity before the eyes of the world and qualifies them.

Beloved, at Bethel, the oldest sanctuary of God, there were many priests and prophets. When God’s ministers at Bethel refused to do the Will of God, Amos was sent to fill the gap. The people did not have to leave Bethel; God brought a Minister to them.  God chooses people who will serve as conscience of society and to bring all of us back to Him again.

Therefore, friends in Christ, you do not have to leave the house of God (your church, parish) in search of a prophet, for God will attend to your needs without fail.

We will enjoy Divine provision when we learn to abide (Obey God’s command) in his word and this is what the responsorial Psalm teaches us. We must seek our provision from God and not from ministers of God, the ministers are only channels of God’s grace.

Our provision and restoration are from God. Our attitude should be God centered and not pastor oriented centered, may our director (Priest) never become our destination. We are each called upon to receive the word of truth in our lives and not replicate Amaziah. We are to worship God in Spirit and not like a mere religious obligation.

The gospel of Mark gives a blueprint for the missionary work of the disciples. There are three basic issues addressed by Jesus Christ to his disciples whom he was sending.

The first issue raised by Jesus has to do with preparations, thus the things the disciples need to have before he sets out for mission. So, the first of these preparations is that, the disciples need another disciple. Before things are mentioned, the disciples first need companionship.

The two disciples were not to carry two staffs, a single staff was enough. The staff was or is a symbol of authority. There were not to be two conflicting sources of authority on the mission. Once again, friends, the great enemy of the mission is infighting.

 Jesus also charged them, saying no bread, no money, no copper, these are the economic necessities, but very often they are the source of division among the disciples on mission. He says to them and by extension us (Christians) leave them behind. The mission is not about control of resources.

The most important thing for them is the relationship between the disciples and those to whom they are sent. There are two possibly responses to the message of the disciples that is acceptance or rejection, therefore, the disciples must be ready for either of them; there is no naivety about the mission.

The disciples are to do three things, preach repentance, cast out demons, Heal by anointing the sick. The ministry is a holistic one. Preaching appeals to the intellect, heart, Anointing/Exorcism liberates the person’s spirit and restores the person, healing with oil revives the body.

Beloved, in sum, the readings invite us to become more attuned to the Lord’s call to journey in a particular way. Like Amos and the disciples, we may feel anxious and uncertain before this call, but in heeding that call, we are assured of what the second reading refers to as ‘the richness of the grace that God has showered upon us.

The Lord does not send us out on the journey he has chosen for us without also providing for us along the way. As we try to be faithful to the Lord’s way, we will experience, in the words of today’s Psalm, the Lord’s saving help.