Ordinary 15

Ordinary 15
July 16, 2006

by Jude Siciliano, OP

Amos 7: 12-15
Psalm 85: 9-14
Ephesians 1: 3-14
Mark 6: 7-13

Dear Preachers: Amos' protest to Amaziah sounds like a similar one the Twelve would have uttered when Jesus summoned and sent them out with authority to drive out unclean spirits, heal and preach. What Jesus tells them, he is also telling us as we hear the gospel proclaimed at this liturgy.

Why is Amos protesting so vehemently? Earlier in this chapter Amos has seen ominous signs for Israel (locusts and fire, 7:1-4). He asked God to spare the people and God did. But the people haven't changed and the prophet has been denouncing Israel for idolatry, injustice and all manner of sins. Amos sees judgment coming for Israel and this time he does not intercede with God for them. He prophesies the destruction of the sanctuary, the fall of the royal house and the people's enslavement. A major focus of the Book of Amos is the announcement of Israel's destruction.

Amos' message is hardly one that would make him win points with the people, the priestly establishment or the royal household. The priest Amaziah had even sent a message to king Jeroboam claiming that Amos had announced the king would die (7:11)! Today's passage opens with Amaziah's telling Amos to go back to his homeland, Judah (the southern kingdom). He wants him out of Israel (the northern kingdom). People believed that a prophet's words actually started the process towards their fulfillment, so if they can get Amos out of Israel, what he prophesied wouldn't happen.

Amos first protests, "I was no prophet...I was a shepherd...." But that was the past; despite his humble background, he is now a prophet. How did that change take place? Amos knows quite clearly, "The Lord took me from following the flock and said to me, 'Go prophesy to my people Israel.'" A person might have humble origins and no training for the task; but the choice of being a prophet isn't theirs. God makes the choice and then, if they accept, empowers them, "Go prophesy...."

Amos has the authority to be a prophet because God has called and sent him. The people must have forgotten or ignored the fact that, if Amos were called and chosen by God, to resist the changes he called for would be to resist God.

It is hard to know who are the legitimate prophetic voices called by God and who are the "self-called" in our church these days. What's striking about Amos and a clue to us, is his reluctance to claim anything for himself. He is very conscious that God has plucked him from his regular life and routine and given him a painful message. One thing is for sure, he is not going to be silent just because the religious authorities and government don't want to hear what he has to say.

One would think God would be a little more discerning when choosing a spokesperson with an important message that people need to hear. Why didn't God choose Amaziah, the priest of Bethel, an important priest at an important national shrine? He would be a more presentable person for such an important task and he had the ear of the king. Was Amaziah and the religious institution too invested in the prosperous nation and its ruling classes? I've always been taken aback when I see pictures of renowned clergy of any religion blessing warships and military armadas. Certainly God speaks through religious authorities and institutions; but there is always a danger we preachers are too comfortably ensconced in the society and political system that feeds, shelters and sometimes pays us.

But God's voice does get through religious institutions when: bishops speak out for peace, the homeless and immigrants; people lobby for a living wage for the poor; a parishioner organizes an outreach program to the forgotten housebound; a congregation of religious sisters lobbies in Congress for peace; the pope reaches out a hand of friendship to Protestants, Jews, Orthodox and Muslims; a retreat house offers weekends for gays and the divorced, etc.

Amos describes himself as a "dresser of sycamores." How plain and ordinary is that! But it shouldn't surprise us that God also speaks to us in informal and less institutional ways. We can testify that we have heard God's Word from the everyday folks of our lives: a grandmother, while stirring a pot of soup, says something to a granddaughter that she remembers for many years; an uncle, who helps a neighbor repair a damaged roof, speaks an important message to a nephew about caring and helping people in times of need; a teacher reprimands an erring student and helps change the direction of a life; the janitor, in the building where we work, doesn't desert his wife who is battling cancer and, when he leaves work, goes home to cook and take care of the kids, etc. If we named the ordinary prophets who have been God's instruments in our lives, we might not have enough time in today's Eucharist to thank God. But we could try!

Prophecy isn't about predicting the future is it? A prophet who speaks to church, nation or individuals gets us to hear God addressing our present situation and what we should do about it. Forget the prophet's origins, appearance or present status, instead, let's ask Lady Wisdom to grace us with an attentive ear and responsive heart to God's Word for us today---whatever and from wherever the source.

The gospel echoes a message similar to the Amos reading. Last week we heard about Jesus' rejection by his own townsfolk after his teaching in the synagogue. Now he is sending his disciples to do what he has been doing; drive out evil spirits, heal the sick and call people back to God. Well, if even his own family and friends rejected Jesus when he did these things, what can his disciples expect? The same thing Jesus got--rejection and persecution by some, but welcome by others.

Like Amos, the Twelve have been called from their everyday lives to speak God's Word. They can't rely on their native gifts alone to accomplish this important, but difficult, task they are being sent out to do. When Jesus tells them not to take food, sack or money in their belts it may sound quaint to our modern ears, we who travel with multiple credit cards and overweight luggage. (How many of us have had to pay a fee at the airline ticket counter because our suitcase weighs more than 50 pounds?) Jesus doesn't mean to be quaint or outdated. The point he is making is that no matter what resources and "Power Point" presentations we carry with us, something else is needed and is more important. Wherever we are sent, across the world or to the water cooler at work, we are being sent to perform healing acts on God's behalf. We may not actually pour oil on wounds, but kind, forgiving and gracious words can go far in healing damaged bodies and spirits.

The way we behave towards others can speak and preach powerfully to the world around us; a world that measures a person and group's worth by their political and financial clout and their "personal charisma." Who will speak of God's reign? Who will heal the wounded? Who will be a challenge to others to turn away from self interest to communal concerns? We will---because we have been called, instructed, empowered and sent by Jesus Christ, the Word of God in our midst.

What about driving out "evil spirits?" Are we talking, "The Exorcist," or "The Amityville Horror" here? No, that's more Hollywood's area of concern than God's. But don't parents who sit down and have honest talks with their kids drive out the evil spirits of racism, materialism and aggressive competition? Don't those AA groups that meet on Tuesday nights in our church basement drive out the demons of alcoholism and drug addiction with the help of their "Higher Power?" Don't our parish staffs and volunteers drive out the isolation demons by helping to build communities of caring people? Aren't our liturgy planners, presiders and ministers raising dejected and wounded spirits in joint praise to the gracious God they experience in our gatherings? Don't our teachers drive out the demons of ignorance and defeatism from our students? Aren't the people who speak for and protect the environment, on the side of the Creator, driving out the demons of waste and indifference? Don't groups like Pax Christi help drive out the demons of war and violence from our hearts and stir us to work for peace? Don't people who run shelters for battered families drive out demons of domestic violence and isolation?

Well, you get the idea, don't you? Don't take the demon/evil spirits part of Jesus' instruction too lightly, they take all shapes and forms and we need Jesus' power, perseverance and courage to confront and drive them out.

QUOTABLE

"The idea that there are evil forces in the world that manifest themselves in various ways is still valid. How one articulates this idea may change from one culture to another, however. Demonology was a part of the culture of the NT world and should be interpreted and understood against that background." - HARPER'S BIBLE DICTIONARY, Paul Achtenmeier, General Editor. (San Francisco: Harper and Row, 1985) Page 218.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

Christian Foundation for Children and Aging is an organization founded and directed by lay Catholics that invites people into sponsorship relationships with children, youth and elderly persons living in 26 economically developing countries. Through letters, prayer, and a $30 monthly commitment, people of good will in the United States have the ability to offer hope and sponsorship benefits such as food, education and medical care to their sponsored friends. If you are interested in having a priest, deacon or lay representative come and speak about CFCA, please contact Liz deLisser at (800) 466-7672 or by e-mail at lizd@cfcausa.org. Our priests do not take up a collection and can preside and preach at all Masses during a weekend.

JUSTICE NOTES

(Submitted by Anne and Bill Werdel, from the parish bulletin of Sacred Heart Cathedral, Raleigh, NC)
The Gift of Prayer
It has been a year of grace and blessings at Sacred Heart. We have been driven by world events to recognize a need for deeper prayer and for community. Now it is time to give thanks and to reflect on the abundance of graces we have received. It is a time to rejoice in a growing awareness of and commitment to God's Kingdom of peace and justice. It is a time, perhaps of more leisure to think about and pray over those issues which have called on us this year to educate ourselves and respond in new ways. Some of those issues were:
· Poverty, Living Wage, and Affordable Housing
· War and peace
· Migrant workers and Immigration
· Capital Punishment and the Moratorium
· Globalization and Fair trade
· Global Solidarity and Sister Parish
· Right to Life Issues and HIV/AIDS

For Justice in our Hearts and in our World
Oh God, each day you bring us new possibilities for the proclamation of your peace and justice. Not limited to our human imagination, in every age you go beyond our thoughts and invite us to deeper insight into the wisdom of your loving.

This day we confess our failure to gather our life together in peace, to carve laws more in keeping with your mercy, to build up our society in justice and harmony. Too often fear, greed, and pride have led us to forget the presence of the poor and the widowed, the orphan and the stranger. Countless homeless people wander our streets while we pursue our own security.

Stir up your Spirit in our midst. Speak your voice of caring to governments and every human gathering so that our life in this world will reflect the gospel commitment to tend the wounded and set the captives free.

We ask this through Christ and the Holy Spirit, with you, One God, forever and ever.

Amen

------Prayer adapted from the book, Act Justly, Love Tenderly, Walk Humbly, by Edward Gabriele. Praying for social justice is vital. It is a way to bring ourselves and all that we care about into the Heart of God.

POSTCARDS TO DEATH ROW INMATES

"It is time to abandon the death penalty -- not just because of what it does to those who are executed, but because of how it diminishes all of us... We ask all Catholics--pastors, catechists, educators and parishioners -- to join us in rethinking this difficult issue and committing ourselves to pursuing justice without vengeance. With our Holy Father, we seek to build a society so committed to human life that it will not sanction the killing of any human person.
------( "Responsibility, Rehabilitation, and Restoration: A Catholic Perspective on Crime and Criminal Justice," U.S. Catholic Bishops, Nov. 2000,)
Inmates on death row are the most forgotten people in the prison system. Each week I am posting in this space several inmates' names and locations. I invite you to write a postcard to one or more of them to let them know that: we have not forgotten them; are praying for them and their families; or, whatever personal encouragement you might like to give them. If you like, tell them you heard about them through North Carolina's, "People of Faith Against the Death Penalty." Thanks, Jude Siciliano, OP
Please write to:........................................
James Hollis Watts #0428143 (On death row since 7/19/01)
Bryan C. Bell #0592464 (8/24/01)
Clifford Ray Miller #0742512 (10/25/01)
---Central Prison 1300 Western Blvd. Raleigh, NC 27606

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

CD Available: "FIRST IMPRESSIONS: PREACHING REFLECTIONS ON LITURGICAL YEAR B" This compilation, from past "First Impressions," includes two reflections on almost all Sundays and major feasts for this liturgical year. For more information and to purchase go to: http://judeop.ispraleigh.com/

ABOUT DONATIONS: If you would like to support this ministry, please send tax deductible contributions to Jude Siciliano, O.P., Make checks to "Dominican Friars of Raleigh." Mail contributions to: Jude Siciliano, O.P., Dominican Friars of Raleigh, P.O. Box 12927, Raleigh, N.C. 27605

REGULAR INFORMATION

I get notes from people responding to these reflections. Sometimes they tell how they use "First Impressions" in their ministry and for personal use. Others respond to the reflections, make suggestions and additions. I think our readers would benefit from these additional thoughts. If you drop me a BRIEF note, I will be happy to add your thoughts and reflections to my own. (Judeop@Juno.com)

Our webpage addresses:
(Where you will find "Preachers' Exchange," which includes these reflections and Homilias Dominicales, as well as articles, book reviews and quotes pertinent to preaching.)
http://www.opsouth.org Under "Preachers' Exchange"
http://www.op.org/exchange/

"Homilias Dominicales"-- these Spanish reflections are written by four friars of the Southern Dominican Province experienced in Hispanic Ministry, Isidore Vicente, Carmen Mele, Brian Pierce and Juan Martin Torres. Like "First Impressions", "Homilias Dominicales" are a preacher's early reflections on the upcoming Sunday readings and liturgy. So, if you or a friend would like to receive "Homilias Dominicales" drop a note to John Boll, O.P. at: jboll@opsouth.org
"First Impressions" is a service to preachers and those wishing to prepare for Sunday worship. It is sponsored by the Southern Dominican Province, U.S.A. If you would like "First Impressions" sent weekly to a friend, send a note to John Boll at the above Email address.
If you would like to support this ministry, please send tax deductible contributions to:
Jude Siciliano, OP, Promoter of Preaching
Southern Dominican Province, USA
P.O. Box 12927,
Raleigh, N.C. 27605
(919) 833-1893
Make checks to: Dominican Friars of Raleigh.
Thank you.