Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Pope Francis is on a visit to South America. There are many highlights to his visit – visiting the notoriously violent and overcrowded Palmasola prison, vesting for mass at the local Burger King, and blessing a children’s hospital in Paraguay and masses at various places. Yet, the most unexpected action of the pope was an apology. Pope Francis apologized for the "many grave sins" committed by Christian colonists against indigenous peoples in South America. Talking about "new colonialism," in which corporations and banks replace the old colonial powers, the Pope acknowledged Thursday that the Catholic Church's history is not entirely free from transgression. "I say this to you with regret," he said in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, "Many grave sins were committed against the native peoples of America in the name of God." Pope Francis is not the first pope to make apologies. In the Jubilee Year 2000, Pope John Paul II did the same during the last years of his term. Both these popes are admitting that there are times that the church has lost sight of her mission, her meaning and purpose. Perhaps, she has acted even contrary to her mission.
It happens often enough that we look back at life and realize that we have regrets. It also happens often enough that in spite of our profession, work, children, wealth, beauty and fame, our lives lack contentment. It is as if something is missing; that we are not grounded firmly. One of the greatest crises that people face is the lack of meaning and purpose in life.
It is in light of this that I would like to invite you to listen to these words from today’s second reading. 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). In other words, it is possible for human beings to find the meaning and purpose of life by aligning themselves with God’s will and purpose. Meaning and purpose come from a life that gives glory to God. Moreover, Paul suggests that all of us are called. There is not one person who does not have a meaning and purpose assigned to them by God. However, realizing that call and living according to it is a life-long task. In today’s first reading, Amos, a shepherd was called 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 sends 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. Similarly we are all called to faith, to mission, to meaning and purpose.
Let me offer three practical implications from today’s readings.
a) A Radical Call. The concept of “being chosen by God for God’s purpose” is a very radical concept in Christianity. By radical I mean that God’s choice predates the birth of one who is chosen. God chooses people from the womb. Let me rephrase that; God chooses people even “before the foundation of the world” (Eph 1:4). God presumes the permission of the person who is chosen. Thus each of us has a very holy and sacred purpose. God’s choice of us even before we were conceived does not undermine our freedom. We always have the choice to reject God’s choice. On the other hand, for those of us who believe that God’s purpose is holy, our life project can be to fulfil God’s plan. That is exactly what Mary did. Immaterial of what we do professionally, we are all called to holiness, to justice, to peace, to generosity and love. Immaterial of our earthly pursuits we are all called to imitate Christ in goodness, compassion and service. Even our professional life can become an extension of our larger calling. An educator can consider himself or herself to continue the teaching ministry of Christ. A medical professional can be a participant in the healing work of Christ. This week I invite you to spend 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?”
b) The Social Dimension of the Call. At some point we must realize that the eternal significance of every person has social implications. Amos’ prophetic calling is integrally related to the renewal of a nation. I am most touched by Amos. Not only does he defend his prophetic calling in the face of threats but he spoke the truth against the prevalent injustices social and covenantal infidelities of his time. Against kings, priests, false prophets and those in authority, he would only proclaim the message that God entrusted to him. Today’s world is not any different than Amos’ time. That is why Pope Francis spoke against the prevalence or poverty in Latin America. He challenged the powers that be to being about a more just and equitable world instead of focusing on profits. We live in a nation where the rich become richer and the poor find it almost impossible to break the cycle of poverty. The scant respect for life, the exploitation of the earth and its resources, the reality of war as an economic necessity rather than a means of self-defense, the prevalence of racism, gender inequality, bigotry, and xenophobia makes our Christian calling extremely crucial. In the midst of all the sin and selfishness, we are being called to imitate and proclaim the message of Christ.
c) Being Prophetic. Basing myself on the first reading from Amos and basing myself on his call to be a prophet, I would like to say a few words about being prophetic. Being prophetic involves what I call the prophetic vision. One of the most serious threats to being authentically prophetic is to lose God’s purpose and will by aligning ourselves with political ideologies. Perhaps that is why neither Amos nor Jesus aligned themselves with the political establishment of their time. The goal of politics is power. The goal of a prophet, on the other hand, is holiness. Neither Rush Limbaugh nor Michael Moore, neither Republicans nor Democrats, neither Conservatives nor Liberals, neither Progressive nor Traditionalists present the entire truth. From my ordinary conversations with people I know how easy it is to confuse political ideologies with religious truths. In the midst of all these extremes, the Christian calling is to be “destined in accord with the purpose of the One who accomplishes all things according to the intention of God’s will, so that we might exist for the praise of God’s glory…” To be able to truly be the voice of God in out broken, divided, violent, and oppressive world is to be a prophet. This is an eternal calling.
Just for a moment let us turn our focus to the altar, to the Eucharist and to the eternal sacrifice it makes present. Let us become aware that mortal human beings that we are will soon become one with the Eternal God. This is the God who calls us, has destined us according to God’s eternal will. Let us allow our mortal human will to mingle with the Eternal will of God. For this is our eternal purpose, in this is our eternity. Amen. -
Fr. Satish Joseph