Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
As I prepare my homily each week, it is common that, thematically, the scripture readings pull me in different directions. My experience this week was little different. No matter which way I looked at it – thematically, I found it compelling me in a single direction - “He [God] chose us” (Eph 1:4). Even though the people the readings describe are biblical stalwarts, today the focus is not on them as much as on the fact that God choses them. Consequently, what is true of them is also true of us.
In the first reading, we hear the prophet Amos in confrontation with Amaziah, the priest of Bethel. When Amaziah tries to dismiss Amos and belittles his ministry, his reply simply was, “I was no prophet. I was shepherd and dresser of trees. The LORD took me from following the flock, and said to me, Go, prophesy to my people Israel” (Amos 7:12-15). This scripture reading does not focus on the content of Amos’ himself or his preaching. Rather, today’s focus is on the fact that God pulled Amos away from life and chose him to be a prophet.
In the second reading, Paul convinces all the believers, “He chose us!” Eph 1:4) Paul says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, as HE CHOSE US IN HIM, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him” (Eph 1:3). Paul was convinced about his own calling. But today’s focus is on Paul convincing the Ephesians and all believers, including us, that God has chosen us. Note Paul’s insistence. Not only is he saying that God has chosen us but that “He [God] chose us in him [Jesus Christ] BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD!” (Eph 1:4).
Finally, in the gospel reading, Jesus sends the Twelve chosen disciples two-by-two for his mission. While Matthew limits this exercise to the Twelve, Luke tells us that Jesus sent seventy-two others of his chosen disciples to the same mission. Once again, note the intensity and single-minded focus that Jesus demanded from those that he chose. “He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick—no food, no sack, no money in their belts. They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic.” Again, today’s reading does not include the content of their preaching. The focus remains on that fact that God choses them, and consequently, that God has chosen us.
May I leave you with three sets of questions for reflection this coming week:
- There is no single person who is born without a purpose assigned by God. I am not assuming that you have not done this exercise before. But, today, if you had to have a conversation with God about how you see your call, your purpose, and if you had to write about it, what would it read like?
- Whatever it is you do for a living, whoever are people that makes your family, whatever is that brings you joy, and whatever are the burdens you carry – God’s call purpose is intrinsically connected with them. This week, is it possible that you try to put it all together and unify all the various dimensions of your life into one single call and purpose? For example, you might reflect, ‘At work, at home, with my family and friends, as I go about life, what defines me?’ Who am I to all the people in my life?’ ‘How has God chosen me?’
- Jesus instructed his disciples to stay razor-sharp focused on their call. What might Christ us to avoid. What would be the equivalent of, “no food, no sack, and no money in the belt” for you? For example, we might reflect on the questions, “Are there times I lose focus?’ What takes me away from my deeper calling?’ ‘Is it my ego?’ ‘Is it my self-reliance, my self-centeredness, my prejudices?’ Let us set aside anything that takes us away from God’s purpose for us.
May our participation in this Eucharist and our communion with Christ and with one another, help us to become deeply aware that “He chose us before the foundation of the world.” Any may this awareness lead us to fulfil God’s purpose. Amen.