July 12, 2009 at Saint Mark Church in Norman, OK
Amos 7: 12-15 + Psalm 85 + Ephesians + Mark 6: 7-13
Last week the challenge of rising above the expectations and limitations of others was put before us by Mark and Paul and an Old Testament Prophet. The question of how a carpenter from Nazareth could be anything more than a carpenter from Nazareth was raised and resolved. This week we move a step further. We hear a shouting match between Amaziah a priest of the royal shrine at Bethel in the northern Kingdom as he is throwing Amos a prophet from the southern kingdom out of the country. He tells him to shut up and go home and get a job. Amos responds by simply saying that he is no royal prophet under the employ of the king, but just a shepherd and farmer called by God and free to tell it like it is. It is a tough and personal affront to the pompous royal prophet but a powerful argument for his case by Amos; because Amos is free to tell the truth. Amaziah had better watch what he says if he wants to keep his job and his life.
Now which of these two is really called, and which one of them has credibility: the professional whose future depends upon royal approval, or the farmer who is free to speak what he sees, believes, and trusts? There is the professional with the credentials and authority and the farmer with courage and faith.
Then comes the Gospel which up until this time has given us an impression of the disciples that is not particularly flattering. Time after time they fail to get the point of what Jesus is about. Their faith is faltering at best, and they never seem to be focused on the meaning of things that are happening all around them. Now Jesus decides to send this bumbling group out on mission.
There is only one reason to proclaim this Gospel today and retell the story of Amos.
It is not to sit back and admire the faith and the courage of the twelve. Nor is it to think about brave volunteer missionaries who have taken faith in Jesus Christ and proclaimed the Kingdom all over this earth. This is about us. Pay attention to the details: twelve were sent out — it’s an important number that says something in Biblical symbols — it means everyone was sent: all twelve participate in the mission to heal and restore this life. The only reason to proclaim this Gospel today is to reassess our own mission and remind ourselves of what we are about and what we are doing here. There cannot be anyone in here who does not have a mission and a call from Christ. It just comes with Baptism, and it is accepted if you’re going take communion in here.
We Catholics see ourselves as prophetic people. Paul writes about that in Ephesians today. Everyone of us has been given the ability to grasp and appreciate and express the plan the Father has for human life. It’s never been a secret. Jesus has revealed the truth. The prophet and prophetic people show the world the values and attitudes that shape a life lived in accord with the mind of God; but the prophet does not “go with the flow” when the flow is contrary to the mind of God. There are times when the prophet takes a stand and calls into question attitudes and values that do not advance a Kingdom of Justice and Peace. There are some who think the church should stay out of politics, and it should when the politics are its own. But separation of church and state does not separate the church from society. The prophet is not quiet in a country where the rate of child poverty is 21%: the highest in the 17 economically advanced countries. We have more people in prison per capita for nonviolent crimes than any country in the world and too many are women. We are in total denial over the collapse of health care while the growing inequality in the distribution of wealth denies the most fundamental principals of justice. This not politics. It is morality. We live in a society that scoffs at international law and justifies torture with the comment: “It works.” Prophets cannot be still. The society in which we live has the biggest arsenal and a standing army that is invincible with no will nor way to feed and house the growing number of poor and helpless people who call this church for help day in and day out. The prophet keeps saying: “Something is wrong.” The prophet does not say: “You are bad.” The prophet simply asks: “Is there a better way?”
Prophets formed by Jesus have nothing to lose because they take nothing with them.
Prophets formed by Jesus do not polarize and divide people into conservatives and liberals. The whole and single work of a prophet is to unite. Missionary journeys are never solitary adventures. They do not go out with a bag of tricks and book of arguments to prove their viewpoint. They go out to “share the gospel”. The verb share implies an exchange, a give and take, the acceptance of another because they understand that God’s power works through mutuality. This is why they must stay in one home to deepen relationships, listen, and grow.
There is something profound here being said about our faith and our responsibility for it. We are not empowered to condemn or demonize other people. We are called to share the news that forgiveness heals, that justice unites, that violence destroys, that life is a gift from God and through life, all and every life, God remains present to us. The destruction of any life destroys God’s presence. We do not have to go far to share what has been entrusted to us: to work, to the store, to the bank or just next door. Kindness and respect, patience and a willingness to listen, a desire to understand and be understood, openness and a hunger for the truth are all qualities of the prophets Jesus sends on mission. Sustained by these insights and instructions, disciples called, chosen, and commissioned by Jesus will be able to continue what he has begun until he comes again.