Reflection by Deacon Matt

Reflection for 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time: July 14, 2024

Amos 7:12-15: Amaziah, King of Bethel, wanted to banish Amos from Bethel. This indicated that the king, didn’t believe in Amos’s authenticity and authority as a genuine prophet, with a legitimate message from God. Amos is understandably offended and angered by Amaziah’s treatment. In response, and to defend himself, Amos informs the king that he hasn’t made his living by being a prophet. Amos confides that he’s a mere shepherd and “dresser of sycamore trees.” Dressing sycamore trees involved pinching thin stalks of sycamore figs; thus, enabling them to ripen faster. There’s a great metaphor, here. Like Jesus, Amos is a shepherd, and while Amos helps fruits (sycamore figs) to grow to physical maturity, Jesus and other prophets, (like Amos) help souls to become more fruitful and to attain greater spiritual maturity. Ponder that!

Psalm 85: “Lord, let us see Your kindness, and grant us Your salvation.” How appropriate to sing this psalm after contemplating the prophet’s role to prepare the people for a relationship with God. The first verse stresses the importance of “listening,” in order to hear what God proclaims. This verse also promises salvation for those who fear or reverence God. 
The further verses of this psalm promise spiritual gifts and virtues to those who listen to authentic prophetic messages and incorporate them into their lives. Such “fruits” as justice, peace, kindness and truth can be ours if we receive the prophetic message with openness and compliance. Even temporal prosperity and stability are promised to those who receive the prophetic message and live in obedience to the Law. Let’s pray to be open to the Word of God, in Scripture and that we are faithful in obeying God’s Commands.

Ephesians 1: 3-14: In this lovely passage of praise and thanksgiving,     St. Paul offers adoration, praise and thanks to God, our Heavenly Father, for sending Jesus to us, as our Savior and Redeemer. Reflecting on this passage can help us to be more cognizant of the enormous spiritual blessings we’ve received from God, due to Jesus’ Presence in our lives. How can we even begin to articulate our appreciation, love, worship and gratitude to God for His amazing benevolence?! 

Paul continues by thanking Jesus for His redeeming us by His blood and for His merciful forgiveness! This may seem beyond comprehension, but let’s compare that to the surprising ways we’ve found ourselves able to sacrifice in order to serve and comfort others who have been close to us. This week, let’s take time to contemplate the phrase, explaining that we “exist for the praise of (God’s) glory.” What does that mean for us? 

Mark 6:7-13: Here, we have Jesus sending out the twelve Apostles. Their Mission, like ours, is to “give praise to God’s glory,” acting as prophets, or “sharers of God’s Love and God’s Word,” by all that we think, say and do. If we maintain the spirit of poverty and lifestyle of simplicity that Jesus desired for us, we too can achieve the credibility and authenticity of Amos, Isaiah, John the Baptist and other bearers of God’s message of Love and Salvation and Redemption. Our lifestyles and the way we live our lives can show that we have nothing to personally gain, or no ulterior motive, for sharing the message.

“Lord, grant us authenticity, consistency and accuracy in sharing Your Word and Your Saving Presence with others.” 
                      
Lovingly,        
Deacon Matt