Greetings on this the Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Readings: Am 7:12-15; Ps 85:9-10, 11-12, 13-14; Eph 1:3-14 or 1:3-10; Mk 6:7-13
Chosen
In our second reading today, St Paul uses the phrase ‘chosen’ twice. And so we are!
Chosen for:
- Redemption.
- Holy and without blemish.
- Loved, destined.
- Forgiveness.
- Lavishing:
a. riches of grace
b. all wisdom and insights
c. knowning the mystery of will and favor. - Sealed.
- Inheritance.
- Adopted as a child, Possessed as in spouse, all in love.
Summary
In our gospel portion today, Jesus sends his disciples with authority over unclean spirits and to anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.
Reflection
The grace of God extends not just to receive grace but to be the Active Agent of grace.
Personal Reflection
How can I be an active agent of divine grace?
Quoting
Answered by the Coptics this way: “Even if a man acquires a virtue, God does not grant him grace for himself alone”. Grace is not given to us to be individuals separated from each other. We are called to be the Body of Christ, the Church, a community. “Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:19-20). When we are united with others in faith, we become more than the sum of our parts. To be with someone else, we have to open ourselves up to them. We stop being closed in upon ourselves. We are open, not only to our brother or sister, but to Jesus and his grace, allowing us to transcend ourselves in the process. When we cooperate with such grace, we will find ourselves growing in virtue, becoming the one God meant us to be. Not only do we attain such grace by opening ourselves up to others, we find that grace leads us back into the world, to be a vehicle of grace for others.
Reference: https://www.patheos.com/blogs/voxnova/2011/02/11/gods-presence-is-found-in-community/
Sacred Scripture
Full link: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/071424.cfm
First Reading
Amos answered Amaziah, “I was no prophet, nor have I belonged to a company of prophets; I was a shepherd and a dresser of sycamores. The LORD took me from following the flock, and said to me, Go, prophesy to my people Israel.”
Responsorial
Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.
Second Reading
In him we were also chosen.
Gospel Acclamation
May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ enlighten the eyes of our hearts, that we may know what is the hope that belongs to our call.
Gospel
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.
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry