Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
† Sunday 16th July 2000
Theme: Sent by God to share the good news.

A reading from the Prophet Amos 7 : 12 - 15
Amos the prophet, the mere shepherd herdsman, with contempt, is rejected by the sanctuary priests, and told to take himself and his teachings elsewhere! But Amos, is something more than the simple farmer and keeper of sheep, for he has been taken from herding the flock, and chosen by God. The sanctuary priest’s command to Amos, not to prophecy in his hearing, is in contrast to the command from God, “Go, prophesy to my people Israel,” and to speak the message of God in the assembly of the People of God!

The Letter of Paul to the Ephesians 1 : 3 - 14
This text takes the form of a Jewish blessing of thanksgiving. Each of us uniquely chosen by God before the beginning of time, having “heard the message of the truth and the good news of salvation...and stamped with the seal of the Holy Spirit,” is invited to join in this mystery of praise and thanksgiving, which we have in Christ. We can reflect in wonder upon the fact that God has chosen each of u,s of whatever status in life; chosen us for some divine purpose.

The Gospel according to Mark 6 : 7 - 13
Jesus sends his messengers forth to carry the Good News to the wider audience. Without the help of a mobile phone, the Internet, Radio, Television or other forms of communication, Jesus chose his prophets. Remember a prophet is one who ‘forth tells’ - not necessarily one who ‘foretells’ - tells the future. Thus Mark sets out the rules for the preachers and those who shall receive them, “ so they set off to preach repentance; and they cast out many devils, and anointed many sick people with oil and cured them.”
© Peter Harrison 2000