Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today's Mass Readings

Reflect on these words from today’s second reading for a few moments. Paul says, “In him (Christ) we were also chosen, destined in accord with the purpose of the One who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will, so that we might exist for the praise of his glory….” (Eph 1:11-12). (Pause before you go on). These verses have something to say about the purpose of human life. It says that human beings find the meaning and purpose of life by aligning themselves with God’s will and purpose. Scripture calls people who are “chosen and destined according to the purpose of God,” prophets. Amos in today’s first reading is a classic example of this. Amos was a shepherd under the reign of King Jeroboam II. While there was tremendous prosperity during his reign there was also terrible injustice and idolatry. Amos is called aside by God for God’s purpose – to call an entire people to fidelity and justice. Amos so personalizes this call that even when he is threatened by Amaziah, the priest at Bethel, he continues to prophesy at the cost of his life. He had found his purpose in God’s purpose. In the gospel reading Jesus calls the twelve and sent them out to preach repentance. Through the healing, the cure and their preaching they bring God’s presence to people. But ever more, in Jesus mission they find their own purpose and meaning.

The concept of “being chosen by God for God’s purpose” is a very radical concept in Christianity. By radical I mean that there is the concept of being chosen from the womb, or being chosen, as Paul says in today’s second reading, “before the foundation of the world.” (Eph 1:4) Thus each of us has a very holy and sacred task assigned to us. Our task is to discover beyond our occupation and our earthly pursuits, the eternal significance of our lives. This week spend immense amount of time in prayer and reflection on this one question: “What is the eternal significance of my life; as I see it; as God sees it?”

This is a very difficult and yet a question of eternal significance. Let the answer to this question be our reflection for today.

Fr. Satish Joseph