Am 7:12-15
Ps 85:9-14
Eph 1:3-14
Mk 6: 7-13
The readings from both Amos and Mark consider the role of the prophet or teacher. Though their roles are not identical, prophet and teacher complement each other and, at times, overlap.
The Book of Amos is short, only nine chapters. It is contained in the book of the twelve “minor” prophets. They are called minor not because it is unimportant or insignificant but because it is brief. Minor refers to the length of the books not their content or impact when compared with the three major prophets:
The writing of all twelve minor prophets is contained on one scroll that is about the length of a single scroll of any of the three major prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel. The twelve were combined so that nothing would be lost.
Amos is an interesting story. Before he received his prophetic vocation, his call from God to be a prophet, Amos was a shepherd and trimmer of sycamore trees. He was regular blue-collar guy. This is important to understanding Amos as prophet. He was not a professional prophet whose services could be hired to give prophecies. His word was not for sale.
In today's terms he was not a public relations specialist who could spin words and ideas to suit the message his bosses wanted to put out there. Rather like the U.S. government. He was not a sloganeer who told of a future that could never be even with attractive packaging.
Because Amos could not be bought he could not be controlled. However, he was not having an easy time of it. He had given Amaziah a prophecy deemed unfavorable. Indeed, it was considered treasonous because it would demoralize the people. For his honesty he was sent into exile.
Today, as it was in the Ancient Near East, if the truth strikes too close to home, if it is not happy, optimistic, and self-affirming, if it doesn't meet the current standards of politically correct speech or fit the dominant narrative, even when the dominant narrative is immoral, if sin is called out for what it is, the one who tells that truth is exiled or, in today's modern equivalent, cancelled. Cancellation, though it is selectively applied, awaits many modern day prophets who call out sin and immorality for what they are.
Today's professional prophets, i.e. public relations wonks, advertising executives, press agents, and others have done impressive work just in renaming so as to hide the despicableness of the act. The horror of abortion, has been renamed women's health. Physician assisted-suicide, is now physician prescribed death. Mutilating surgery has been rebranded as gender affirming.
Despite the name-changes, they remain evils of great magnitude. But as was true for the ancient prophet Amos, those who suggests otherwise today, particularly in the bizarre world of academia, and even more bizarre universe of politics will be exiled in some manner.
Jesus tried to prepare His disciples for the realities they would encounter as they preached the Good News of salvation. Their message was not going to be accepted without criticism. It was not going to be accepted without hostility and threat. Their message would result in the conversion of many who heard it, but it would bring persecution and martyrdom at the hands of those who found it threatening.
Like Amos, like the earliest preachers and teachers, many are confronted today with hostility and criticism for preaching the Gospel of Jesus crucified and risen from the dead. Jesus’ charge to the disciples, as he sent them out two-by-two is straightforward. It can be summarized in two words: “travel light.”
One commentator notes that the theological significance of this passage is to remind the Church, to remind us, of our origins as a community of missionaries. The Church's missionary efforts began with the Apostles who followed Jesus, witnessed the Transfiguration, and to whom he appeared after the Resurrection. It has continued in an unbroken line ever since.
Ideally, we are a community called to proclaim the word without fear of the persecution or penalties. Our task as missionaries, whether we are vowed religious or lay, whether we work in a monastery, a classroom, or live a demanding life within a family, is the same. That mission is to preach Christ’s Gospel in word and in deed.
Paul reminds us in the second reading that: “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, so that we might exist for the praise of his glory,”
Those who are chosen are sent. Those who are sent can travel light equipped with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Little else needed.
Carlo Cardinal Martini, the late Jesuit Archbishop of Milan composed a prayer that echoes these readings:
“Lord Jesus, we ask you now
to help us to remain with you always,
to be close to you
with all the ardor of our hearts,
to take up joyfully the mission you entrust to us
and that is to continue your presence
and spread the good news of your Resurrection.”
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+ Fr. Jack, SJ, MD
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