The Vocation Of God's People

 Reflection on Today's Readings, 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B, July 11th, 2021
Texts: Amos 7 :12- 15; Ps. 85:9-14; Eph.1:3-14; Mark 6:7-13
Today's first reading reveals two notions that are wrong about prophet. Amazia, the priest of Bethel, saw prophecy as a profession instead of vocation. Hence, he said to prophet Amos, _“O seer, go, flee away to the land of Judah, and eat bread there, and prophesy there; but never again prophesy at Bethel, for it is the king’s sanctuary, and it is a temple of the kingdom.”_ Prophecy is not a means of earning living; it is not a business or job. It is not what one does because he has no job. Prophecy is what one does in response to God's call; it is done according to the will of Him who called. Hence, prophet Amos said to Amazia thus: _“I am no prophet, nor a prophet’s son; but I am a herdsman, and a dresser of sycamore trees, and the Lord took me from following the flock, and the Lord said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel. ”’_  Prophet Amos corrected Amazia that prophecy is not a profession but a vocation. Prophecy is not done for money but for salvation, the purpose of Him who called.
Another wrong notion is that there is a place to prophesy. The earth and everything in it belong to God and He could send anyone anywhere. Prophet Amos was born in the land of Judah, the southern kingdom but sent to the Northern kingdom to prophesy. He was sent outside his place of birth. Salvation is open for the whole world. Amazia was wrong telling prophet Amos that he was not to prophesy in Israel. The people of Israel also need salvation.
Jesus Christ shows, in the gospel reading, that the work of saving soul is not a business or means of earning living by sending out the twelve with instructions to take nothing with them. He wanted them to know that the means of accomplishing the task entrusted to them depend on him. He wanted them to know that He was their help and provider. He wanted them to place their hope in Him and Him alone.
We may also say that Jesus instructed them to go with nothing because he wanted to create opportunity for blessing His people. Whoever gives to His heralds will be blessed. He made them means of blessing to people. He also left a vacuum for the prospective believers to contribute to the work of God. The proclamation of the gospel is the responsibility of everyone. Everyone participates in it differently: Some of us proclaim the gospel by giving while some of us do the proclamation of the gospel.
We may also say that Jesus wanted the heralds to value the prospective believers as the means for the proclamation are to come from  them. This is a kind of check and balance between the heralds and the believers. Jesus did not want to give all the resources needed for success in the mission to the heralds; they need to get the remaining resources from the believers. In this way pride and abuse will be eliminated. The heralds is healed of pride and power intoxication, learn to be humble and respect the believers.  
The second reading reminds us that we have all been called in Jesus Christ and given spiritual gifts. The gift is to enable us to be holy and blameless before. This means if we are holy, it is not by our power but by the grace that God has given us in Christ. It is the work of God's grace that makes us holy and blameless. We are called, therefore, to rely on God's grace. Are we given the gift of singing? Use it in such a way that it keeps you holy. Are you an artist or artiste? Go about your work having in mind that your gift is the power given you to work for your holiness. In the words of St. Peter: _"Each one of you has received a special grace, so, like good stewards responsible for all these varied graces of God, put it at the service of others. If anyone is a speaker, let it be as the words of God, if anyone serves, let it be as in strength granted by God; so that in everything God may receive the glory, through Jesus Christ, since to him alone belong all glory and power for ever and ever. Amen"_ (1Pet. 4:10,11).
St. Paul, in the second reading, reminds us that all the graces are given us in Christ to accomplish God's plan made known in the same Christ. The plan of God in Jesus Christ is to unite all things in Him, Jesus Christ. This means we are to use our gifts to bring about peace on earth. We are to work for peace on earth.

Lord our God, thank You for blessing us in Christ, help us to use the gift received in Christ for our holiness and peace in the world. Amen.

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke