Daily reflection _ Go, Phophesy


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)
Deacon John Ruscheinsky
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)