Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

 

Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits.  He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick— no food, no sack, no money in their belts.  They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic.  He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave.  Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them.”   So they went off and preached repentance.  The Twelve drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.

If we are to be effective disciples of Christ, we must stay the course, trust the process, and follow all directives so that we, too, can be a healing presence in our world, as the first disciples were. Regardless of how irrational or illogical the facts may seem, the inner promptings of the Holy Spirit will always lead us home, wherever and whatever that may be. Thy will be done.  Mark 6: 7 -13

In today’s readings, we encounter Amos, who was called for a special purpose. Amos describes himself as a shepherd and a dresser of sycamores before the Lord instructed him to prophecy to the people of Israel.  In the second reading, St. Paul tells us that God the Father has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens; God chose us before the foundation of the world to be holy and without blemish.  The gospel reading shows that purpose in action as Jesus summons the twelve disciples and sends them out.

What are we called to?  Jesus gives us the instructions on what to take on the journey and promises to be with us always.  We have been commissioned by Jesus to spread the good news and to serve the needs of others.  Our world is deeply in need of healing and peace and we are called to do all we can to foster a world full of love and peace.

The readings this Sunday call each of us to listen, discern, and heed the way God is calling us individually. What will you do to answer that call?