Daily Readings for July 15, 2018

1st READING

Amos is a poor country boy from the southern kingdom of Judah. God sent Him to preach in the affuent, northern kingdom of Israel. The people in Bethel look down on Amos because he does not have the pedigree, and tell him to go back to his country. But Amos continues to prophesy because this is what God has told him to do – to preach the truth whether the people want to hear it or not.

Amos 7:12-15

12 Amaziah, priest of Bethel, said to Amos, “Off with you, visionary,  flee to the land of Judah! There earn your bread by prophesying, 13 but never again prophesy in Bethel; for it is the king’s sanctuary and a royal temple.” 14 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. 15 The Lord took me from following the flock, and said to me, “Go, prophesy to my people Israel.”   

P S A L M 

Psalm 85:9-10, 11-12, 13-14

8 [9] I will hear what God proclaims for he proclaims peace. 9 [10] Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him, glory dwelling in our land. (R) 10 [11] Kindness and truth shall meet; justice and peace shall kiss. 11 [12] Truth shall spring out of the earth, and justice shall look down from heaven. (R) 12 [13] The Lord himself will give his benefits; our land shall yield its increase. 13 [14] Justice shall walk before him, and prepare the way of his steps. (R) 

2nd READING 

In his letters, Paul always gives praise to the wonders of God and His mercy. Paul has received the grace of conversion — from a persecutor of Christians to one of the greatest proponents of the faith. The magnificence and power of God is deeply ingrained in Paul’s spirituality, and he is moved to give praise to Him.

Ephesians 1:3-14

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, 4 as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him. In love 5 he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ, in accord with the favor of his will, 6 for the praise of the glory of his grace that he granted us in the beloved. 7 In him we have redemption by his blood, the forgiveness of transgressions, in accord with the riches of his grace 8 that he lavished upon us. In all wisdom and insight, 9 he has made known to us the mystery of his will in accord with his favor that he set forth in him 10 as a plan for the fullness of times, to sum up all things in Christ, in heaven and on earth. 11 In him we were also chosen, destined in accord with the purpose of the One who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will, 12 so that we might exist for the praise of his glory, we who first hoped in Christ. 13 In him you also, who have heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and have believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 which is the first installment of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s possession, to the praise of his glory.

GOSPEL 

Jesus sends out His disciples on a mission and instructs them not to take anything with them. This teaches us about our dependence on God. As seminarians, we were sent out in pairs with similar instructions. It was scary at  first, but the experience was a fulfilling one as we received God’s providence and care. Some reactions from Church people were interesting. Some were inspired while others thought we were lunatics.  

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.

Mark 6:7-13

7 Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits. 8 He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick — no food, no sack, no money in their belts. 9 They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic. 10 He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave from there. 11 Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them.” 12 So they went off and preached repentance. 13 The Twelve drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.