Servant of the Word: Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Catechism Links[1]

CCC 1506-1509: Disciples share in Christ’s healing mission

CCC 737-741: Church called to proclaim and bear witness

CCC 849-856: Origin and scope of the Church’s mission

CCC 1122, 1533: Mission-mindedness

CCC 693, 698, 706, 1107, 1296: The Holy Spirit as God’s guarantee and seal

CCC 492: Mary as a unique example of being chosen before the foundation of the world

“The Disciples are Sent Out” by James Tissot, 1890’s

Readings for the Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time [2]

Readings from the Jerusalem Bible [3]

Commentary:

Reading 1: Amos 7:12-15

Commentary on Am 7:12-15

This selection from Amos, the first recorded of the twelve Old Testament Prophets, is part of an anthology of visions and oracles delivered by the prophet at Bethel and Samaria. In this passage Amos describes his call to the vocation of prophet as he defends against the persecution of Amaziah.

In reply to the savage rebuke of the high priest, Amos lists his credentials. He denounces the professional prophets and disclaims any connection with them. Amos had no interest in being a prophet for the purpose of earning money. “[He was] a dresser of sycamores: This insipid fruit, which grows especially in the lowlands of Palestine, is related to, but smaller than, the fig; it was the food of the poor.” [5]

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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 85:9-10, 11-12, 13-14

R. (8) Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.

Commentary on Ps 85:9-10, 11-12, 13-14

Psalm 85 is a communal lament that focuses on the woes of the nation. These strophes reflect the joy of salvation at the restoration of the land following the destruction of the temple and the Diaspora. Those faithful to God see the reward: a land restored, justice returned, and the salvation of God. When used in the context of the Advent season, the theme of preparation for a time of peace is announced. It is a clear tie to the herald of the Messiah, echoing Isaiah’s oracle (Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11).

CCC: Ps 85:11 214; Ps 85:12 2795

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Reading II: Ephesians 1:3-14

Commentary on Eph 1:3-14

Following his introductory remarks, St. Paul offers a blessing in thanksgiving for the salvation brought to the faithful through Christ’s forgiveness and redemptive actions. The apostle speaks to the Ephesians about their adoption by God as his sons and daughters. He relates, in typical Pauline fashion, the omnipotence and timelessness of God’s knowledge and actions following his introduction and blessing,

St. Paul quickly gets into doctrinal exhortations (v. 11ff). In this passage, the evangelist announces the adoption of all who believe in him (“we were chosen” a reference to the Jewish people to whom St. Paul also belonged, and “you also, who have heard the truth” meaning the gentiles who came to faith). St. Paul next refers to the indelible change, the transformation brought about in Baptism and Confirmation, as he speaks about being “sealed with the promise of the Holy Spirit” (first given in Baptism and sealed in Confirmation, see also Ezekiel 9:4-6, Revelation 7:4). In this adoption, we share the inheritance of God’s children which is redemption.

CCC: Eph 1:3-14 2627, 2641; Eph 1:3-6 381, 1077; Eph 1:3 492, 1671; Eph 1:4-5 52, 257; Eph 1:4 492, 796, 865, 1426, 2807; Eph 1:5-6 294; Eph 1:6 1083; Eph 1:7 517, 2839; Eph 1:9-11 2823; Eph 1:9 257, 1066, 2603, 2807; Eph 1:10 668, 772, 1043, 2748; Eph 1:13-14 706, 1274; Eph 1:13 693, 698, 1296; Eph 1:14 1107

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Or: Ephesians 1:3-10

(Shorter Form)

Commentary on Eph 1:3-10

The emphasis in the shorter form of this reading provides less on the understanding of Christian destiny, focusing more on a clearer message about adoption into God’s family. Through adoption, established by Christ’s sacrifice, we find redemption.

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Gospel: Mark 6:7-13

Commentary on Mk 6:7-13

In this account, the twelve disciples are sent two by two to begin the ministry for which Christ has been preparing them. They have been with him since they were called. Now he sends them into the world to proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom of God as Jesus had done. We note a few differences from the same account in Matthew 10:5ff and Luke 10:1ff. First, in St. Mark’s account they are allowed to take a staff and sandals (prohibited in the other Gospels). Second, St. Mark does not mention a prohibition against entering “pagan territory,” a reflection of conditions in the region at the time of Mark’s authorship.

The disciples are encouraged to stay in one house as opposed to moving from one place to another (presumably to find greater comfort), so as to avoid giving insult to their host or appearing ungrateful. The instruction to “shake the dust off your feet” to those who were unwelcoming was seen as a testimony against those who rejected repentance.

CCC: Mk 6:7 765, 1673; Mk 6:12-13 1506; Mk 6:13 1511, 1673

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Reflection:

In Jesus’ mind, the disciples understand the basics. He calls them together and sends them out on their mission to do as he has done, proclaim the good news and cast out unclean spirits. It must be, for Jesus, like giving the keys of the car to a teenager for the first time. They have been with him for a while and have seen what he has done in God’s name. Now Jesus gives them the same authority and sends them out.

Of course, the analogy is flawed. Unlike a parent trusting (and praying) that the training and practice of a new driver is sufficient to keep their child out of serious trouble, Jesus sees into the hearts of the disciples and knows they have the faith and courage necessary to do what he asks of them. He must send them because he knows that, like the seed analogy he has used so often, the gift of salvation must be allowed to spread out from himself who is the source of eternal life.

This tableau set before us is the heart of the great paradox we, as Christians, must face daily. While the Lord commands us to be a people set apart from the world, set apart because we belong to him and not to the secular world, we too are sent into the world to be the new disciples, proclaiming the Good News through our words and actions.

It is the power of the New Covenant that makes this possible. While we may worry that we are not prepared for such a difficult task, the Lord gives us what we need to do as he asks. We are given the strength of the Holy Spirit, God’s own strength, to tap into when needed.

Probably the hardest part for us is to remember that we are actually sent. So often we climb out of bed in the morning and forget that, part of what we are asked to do each day, is to be the disciple sent into the world. We walk out thinking only of going to work, to school, or even to do something around the house, and we forget that part of what we do is in response to God’s call through his Son.

It is difficult to keep our call to discipleship constantly before us, to remember always that we are sent. Perhaps we should adopt a little mechanism to help us. Perhaps we should put something by the door or bed where we would be sure to see it. That something, whether it is a written prayer or a symbol, would remind us that we are going out as one of God’s own children, to do, not just our daily tasks, but his work as well.

Whatever we accomplish today, we can certainly end the day with a prayer of hope, that the good we accomplished today will have been for his greater glory, and that our actions might be seen by others as signs of his continued presence. May God grant us a safe and prosperous trip this and each day.

Pax

In other years on this date: Memorial of Saint Bonaventure, Bishop and Doctor of the Church.

[1] Catechism links are taken from the Homiletic Directory, published by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, 29 June 2014.

[2] The picture used, “The Disciples are Sent Out” by James Tissot, 1890’s.

[3] S.S. Commemoratio