Reflection for July 14, 2024

​Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)

​Amos 7:12-15 | Psalm 85:9-10, 11-12, 13-14 | Ephesians 1:3-10 | Mark 6:7-13

​The Catholic Church teaches that every baptized and confirmed individual receives directly from Christ a call to participate in His prophetic mission. This weekend's readings emphasize the importance of remaining faithful to this calling, acknowledging our talents, and employing them for good works. They also encourage us to shed unnecessary burdens as we carry out our mission.

​Father Mychal F. Judge, O.F.M., a friar of the Franciscan Province of the Holy Name, served as a chaplain to the New York City Fire Department from 1992 onward. Despite being 68 years old and encouraged by friends and family to retire comfortably, he remained actively dedicated to his ministry within the force. Fr. Mychal was deeply committed to his role as a firefighter chaplain and passionate about his service. Tragically, he lost his life while administering Last Rites to firefighters at the World Trade Center following the collapse of the South Tower at 9:59 AM on September 11, 2001. He became the first officially recorded fatality of the attacks. Fr. Mychal's unwavering confidence in his calling was evident — he knew his purpose was to save souls.

In the First Reading, we witness how God chose Amos, a humble shepherd and farmer from the South, to become His "mouthpiece" in the North. While we don't delve into the specifics of Amos' message today, we glimpse his core attitude. Amos clashed with Amaziah, a temple priest in Jerusalem, because unlike Amaziah, Amos saw himself as a genuine prophet called by God. Other so-called prophets of his time served for personal gain, often hired by the king to reinforce his authority over the people. Such prophets couldn't be trusted to preach God's word with purity. Are we serving the Church for the right reasons? Are we more focused on personal benefits than nurturing faith? Some engage with the Church seeking recognition, financial gain, or networking opportunities. During a retreat I attended years ago, our facilitator reminded parish workers, "We have to be constantly reminded that Christian vocation is a solemn mission, not a decoration or occupation." Amos affirmed his prophetic role, guided solely by God's call, not personal gain.

Ernest visited the family of Cherry, his girlfriend for Christmas. He gave her a really big Christmas gift. It was all wrapped up beautifully, but when Cherry opened it she found a smaller box wrapped inside. And when she unwrapped that gift she found another gift wrapped inside that one. And the box that had started out big got smaller and smaller; and by the time she got to the last box Ernest was on his knee proposing. The ring was in the last box! 

Grace operates in layers of gifts within gifts. The apostle Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, begins by emphasizing God's unparalleled generosity. Opening the gift of grace reveals that before the world began, our Heavenly Father chose us to be His children and share in His inheritance. Another layer reveals that we are redeemed through the Son, Jesus, who has secured our freedom and forgiven us by His blood, independent of our actions. Further unwrapping reveals that we are sealed, marked, and indwelt by the Holy Spirit—a cascade of gifts centered around the precious jewel of grace. However, receiving grace isn't the end; it comes with a responsibility. We are recipients of these gifts so that we, in turn, can become givers. While we owe love, worship, and gratitude to the Giver, God's primary concern isn't for Himself, as He lacks nothing. Instead, He directs our attention to our neighbors who have needs. The grace we receive compels us to extend kindness and good deeds to others, paying forward what we have freely received.

Fra. Bienvenido, a Franciscan friar planning a trip to the Holy Land, was surprised to learn that renting a boat on the Sea of Galilee cost $80 per hour. He remarked, "In the Philippines, it wouldn't have been more than $0.85." The travel agent responded, "That may be true, but consider that the Sea of Galilee is where our Lord Himself walked on water." Fra. Bienvenido humorously replied, "Well, at $80 an hour for a boat, no wonder He chose to walk on water!"

Today, Jesus sends out His apostles in pairs to preach, teach, and heal, instructing them to travel lightly without burdensome supplies. He assures them that God will provide, urging them not to seek personal comfort or impose on their hosts beyond their means. Carrying excess baggage serves our own interests, not the message we proclaim. The apostles heeded Jesus' instructions, went out, worked successfully, and returned without lacking anything material—God ensured all their needs were met. At times, it's challenging to trust how God sustains us through life's difficulties until we wholeheartedly rely on His providence. St. Francis of Assisi and Mother Teresa exemplified this trust by relinquishing material possessions to follow Christ's call. For missionaries, true wealth lies not in financial balance but in total surrender to God and unwavering trust in His guidance.

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