July 15, 2018

15th Sunday in Ordinary Time B Amos 7: 12-15; Ephesians 1: 3-14; Mark 6: 7-13 If I would ask Christians, ‘Are you holy?’ Without much hesitation, the vast majority would say, ‘No!’ ‘Then who do you feel are holy people; do you know any of them?’ I would doubt that they would say, ‘I don’t know anyone who is holy.’ They would respond by saying a priest they knew, or a nun, or a deacon..With only a little thought they would mention a special relative, like a parent or a grandparent who was ‘just plain holy.’ Describe their holiness.’ They would respond this time by saying ‘they were so kind and caring…they listened and always respected who I was…they would say they treated each person in a special loving way…and add ‘I never saw them upset or vengeful…they wanted the best for each person… they just loved.’ This is a wonderful description of holiness. Now do any of us fit into the above descriptions? We would say, NO!’ But If I asked people in our lives who have been touched by our goodness, they would point to us as being ‘that holy person.’ Why do we not see holiness in ourselves? Why do we hide from holiness? Do we work on being holy? We know that only ‘holy’ people are in heaven…we all want to go to heaven…why are we so negative and disbelieving of our own daily work to be holy and our journey to heaven? Amos preached some 800 years before the birth of Jesus. He lived in the Northern Kingdom which was experiencing great wealth and were living in prosperity. Because of their affluence they had no need for God and as a result had a deep spiritual poverty. They were not living up to God’s covenant. Amos was a shepherd and a tender of sycamore trees and not a trained prophet. God called Amos, “The lord took me from following the flock, and said to me, Go prophesy to my people Israel.” He lived in the Southern Kingdom and was send to the Northern Kingdom. Did people want to listen to him…No…they looked at his humble work and rejected his words, ‘who is he to be telling us…’ Paul is writing to the Ephesians, the letter is about the role the Church and each person has to play in bring people closer to God and heaven. Their purpose is to be the instruments for making God’s plan of salvation known throughout the world and my world. Everyone is important. Each person is blessed by the Holy Spirit with uniqueness and gifts that are given to be used to show God’s ever present love and caring. In today’s passage, Paul is giving thanks for the honor each Christian has in being God’s child. This was God’s plan from the beginning. God has chosen each of us and graced us. We are privileged to know that God loves us, has given us the Gospel of love and has sealed us with the Holy Spirit. ‘You are to be love.’ Paul is offering a prayer for the faith, love and hope of all those whom God has made part of the body of the heavenly Christ. Christ’s life is not to be separated from life in the world. The different ministries in the church have the task of bringing Christians to full maturity (Ephesians 4: 11-16). Our baptism inaugurated us to carry on the world of Jesus. These promises were made by our parents and godparents who were aware of the urgency of being God’s love. We are called to be examples. We so often consider ourselves as being unprepared or not worthy or at a complete loss for words. This is universal to all. The apostles were called to go out and proclaim the Word. They were told to pack light! They didn’t have to bring money, a change of clothes, just sandals on their feet and a walking stick. They would be given hospitality…God would provide. They were to trust and have faith. This is the same message given to each of us. The gospel contains a very interesting sentence, “Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you…” How discouraging those words had to have been to the apostles. They expected success, this wouldn’t necessarily be the case all the time. Jesus is telling them that they are going to have the door closed in their faces. Others will get up and leave when they start to preach; their attitude showing ‘who do you think you are telling me…’ Jesus is teaching them and each of us to be realistic. No minister of the gospel is ‘just the right person’ to make the Word of God’s love clear and important to everyone. No one is perfect. To be God’s minister one must to be humble. It’s not about me, it’s about God. There is always someone else that can handle the situation better than I. Don’t write any person off as hopeless. The right person may be right around the corner, just step aside for them. And pray…always pray…pray for this other person’s conversion…turning their life around and seeing the power of love, compassion and forgiveness. St. Anthony of Padua said, “Actions speak louder than words; let your words teach and your actions speak.” St Francis of Assisi, a fellow Franciscan said, “Preach, and once in a while use words.” The way that we live our lives day to day oftentimes speak louder than words. Sunday Homily Helps gives some practical advice today on when our words and actions fall on deaf ears: “a) Correcting a child is a good example. We want the best for our children. We do our utmost to be the best ‘people makers’ we can be. Children have a tough time being corrected. We are called all the more to love, patience and compassion. I can remember my own childhood and the disciplines I received; unfair at the time, but as I grew older I realized the wisdom of my parents. b) The disciples were told to ‘shake the dust off their sandals’ when they encountered inhospitable people of towns. When we encounter the same, we ought not judge others. The Holy Spirit works at different paces with different people. Today’s sinner could very well be tomorrow’s saint. c) This is one of the challenges for the contemporary Christian. Our communications are instant. Everyone has an opinion. Looking at the news is a great exercise in trying to be nonjudgmental. We are constantly challenged to live our faith in a world that is becoming more secular every day, where seeking the divine takes on less importance. d) We can be a powerful presence in our world, despite its many alluring distractions. With the encouragement of St. Paul, who often inspires us with his loving words we can live good, compassionate and loving lives. It is a tough road, but worth every step.” AND IN DOING SO…we are living a HOLY LIFE preparing ourselves for HEAVEN. So I reflect on: • What example for the Christian life do I give to others around me? • How do I react in times of crisis or terrible need? • Do I always have to have the last word, or the need to be right all the time? • Do I believe that I am holy? Give some examples. • What gifts do I have to serve others in the name of Jesus? Sacred Space 2018 states: “Jesus knew that some people were ready for the good news, and that the twelve apostles would find those people as they went. Always there are people on our path who are ready for what we have to say. The Holy Spirit leads us to them and them to us. We can trust that God draws into our spiritual family those who are waiting to be included. Jesus also knew that some people would resist His message and that it would do no good for the apostles to press or argue; they should simply move on. Lord, show me when it is time to move on and leave others alone, knowing that You continue to call each of us. May I respond to people appropriately as I reach out in Your love.”