FIFTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
First Reading | Amos 7:12-15
Amos had no background in politics, religion, or society life. He was a pipsqueak boy who came from nowhere. He was presenting himself at Bethel, the capital of the Northern Kingdom, with a message from God. The priests and leaders made it clear that they would not listen to what Amos would say. It is difficult to convince people that the Gospel is true. What can help us is the witness of our way of life and sharing our experience of God’s work in us.
12 Amaziah, priest of Bethel, said to Amos, “Off with you, visionary, flee to the land of Judah! There earn your bread by prophesying, 13 but never again prophesy in Bethel; for it is the king’s sanctuary and a royal temple.” 14 Amos answered Amaziah, “I was no prophet, nor have I belonged to a company of prophets; I was a shepherd and a dresser of sycamores. 15 The Lord took me from following the flock, and said to me: Go, prophesy to my people Israel.”
Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 85:9-10, 11-12, 13-14
R: Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.
9 I will hear what God proclaims; the Lord for he proclaims peace. 10 Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him, glory dwelling in our land. (R) 11 Kindness and truth shall meet; justice and peace shall kiss. 12 Truth shall spring out of the earth, and justice shall look down from heaven. (R) 13 The Lord himself will give his benefits; our land shall yield its increase. 14 Justice shall walk before him, and prepare the way of his steps. (R)
Second Reading | Ephesians 1:3-14
The first three chapters of the Letter to the Ephesians are a hymn to God’s glory. It is a great text to take to prayer and ask the Holy Spirit to enlighten us to its magnificent blessing to work for the Kingdom of God. God is generous with His love and is always ready to listen to our concerns. We should always remember to ascribe any glory to Him because our accomplishments are rooted in His grace at work within us.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, 4 as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him. In love 5 he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ, in accord with the favor of his will, 6 for the praise of the glory of his grace that he granted us in the beloved. 7 In him we have redemption by his blood, the forgiveness of transgressions, in accord with the riches of his grace 8 that he lavished upon us. In all wisdom and insight, 9 he has made known to us the mystery of his will in accord with his favor that he set forth in him 10 as a plan for the fullness of times, to sum up all things in Christ, in heaven and on earth. 11 In him we were also chosen, destined in accord with the purpose of the one who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will, 12 so that we might exist for the praise of his glory, we who first hoped in Christ. 13 In him you also, who have heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and have believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 which is the first installment of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s possession, to the praise of his glory.
When we are on a mission, we need to place our trust in God. He alone can bring conversion to people’s lives. This is why Jesus sends out His disciples with little material. He wants them to remember that they need to rely on His grace to do their mission. A disciple is only as effective as his faith and trust in Jesus. Let us surrender to His grace.
May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ enlighten the eyes of our hearts, that we may know what is the hope that belongs to our call.
Mark 6:7-13
7 Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits. 8 He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick—no food, no sack, no money in their belts. 9 They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic. 10 He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave. 11 Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them.” 12 So they went off and preached repentance. 13 The Twelve drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.
