Go, Prophesy
It might be interesting to consider overall how few religious
professionals God employs in the work of salvation history… But scripture tells
us the very helpful words - "I can do all things through Christ who
strengthens me" (Phil,4)
In our scripture
readings for this Sunday, we read about the one great advantage that the writer
of the Ephesians had over the prophet Amos. Paul's audience was in-house, and
already converted. Amos, a southerner sent to the northern kingdom of Israel,
was neither invited nor welcomed when he came calling with his message of harsh
criticism and accusation. He was told to go home to Judah in no uncertain terms
by the powers that be.
Amos knew who he
was, a shepherd and tree farmer. These were not exactly what you would call
credentials, especially when arguing theology with the priest in charge of the
great shrine of Bethel. The best Amos can do is play the God card. He didn't
come to Bethel on his own cognizance, he insists, but because God compelled him
to. We don't know if this ploy was any more successful for Amos than the
wrongdoer who claims the devil made him do it. There is no record telling us
what became of Amos. Maybe he returned to his flocks and his trees and resumed
a quiet life, or maybe the northern kingdom put an end to what he was doing?
Amos' big challenge was prophesying in a time of great prosperity. When folks
are doing wonderfully well, they don't appreciate hearing that God isn't as
thrilled with their bounty as they are. It seems people have always liked to
believe that God is responsible for their good fortune, not that God expects
them to spread it around.
In today's reading
from the Gospel of Mark, Jesus goes easy on the disciples when he sends them
out on their first missionary assignment, sending them two by two. Since He
sends them in pairs, they won't be as lonely as Amos was on the road. He gives
them plenty of instruction about how to dress, what to say, and, most
importantly, when to leave. He also equips them with one thing Amos didn't
have: powers to liberate and cure. A few signs and wonders might have helped
Amos make his case.
The bottom line is,
the disciples had no more credentials than Amos did. Among the disciples were
found fishermen, a tax collector, and a dissident. Nathaniel seemed profoundly
unemployed lounging under a fig tree when Jesus first spied him. Certainly none
of them had a theological background, or had studied vigorously, or had
prepared for pastoral ministry.
These men weren't
religious professionals. It might be interesting to consider overall how few
religious professionals God employs in the work of salvation history. The
shepherds and the fishermen out- number the Pharisees and Sanhedrin officials
in a way that should make us rather nervous.
In the responsorial
psalm: we acclaim - I will hear what God proclaims,... for he proclaims peace.
This is a peace that unites, reconciles, heals, and gives joy; a peace that
speaks all languages.
According to the
Gospels, the first mission went off wildly well. All these fellows had with
them was the authority of Jesus Christ, and it was enough to drive out demons
and cure the sick. We don't hear the number of times they had to shake of dust
from their sandals and move on, however. But scripture tells us the very
helpful words - "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens
me" (Phil,4)