The Fifth Sunday After Pentecost, July 13, 2003 (Proper 10B)
Amos 7:7-15; Psalm 85 or Psalm 85:7-13; Eph. 1:1-14; Mark 6:7-13
In The Magician’s Nephew, the sixth of the seven chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis, one the characters who faces Aslan, the Christ figure in the stories, is determined not to hear the truth. Uncle Andrew, though present at the creation and a witness of all that takes place, is unable to respond in any way but selfishness and fear. Because of his moral and spiritual denseness, Aslan says, “Oh, Adam’s sons, how cleverly you defend yourselves against all that might do you good!”
Hearing and responding to the word of God is the theme of all four lessons for today. In the psalm and the epistle there is recounted the nature of the blessing in the truth that God constantly conveys to the world. The psalm speaks of “peace ... to those who turn their hearts to him,” and “salvation” that is “very near.” The words “mercy,” “truth,” “righteousness,” and “peace” are used repeatedly, and always with the insistence that they are near. Similarly, the epistle says that “the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ ... has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ.” The result in the lives of the faithful is set forth glowingly in the rest of the lesson.
Yet in the other two lessons, in spite of the message of God that is sent out, there are those who reject it. Amos, who says, “I am not a prophet,” apparently was chosen to deliver the message because those who were known as prophets had sold out to secular concerns. His message is rejected and he is sent packing with the ridiculous reasoning that the place where he is prophesying is “the king’s sanctuary” and “a temple of the kingdom.”
In the gospel, Jesus warns the disciples, who are sent out two by two, against those who will reject their message.
Look It Up
Reflect on Amos 7:7-8. What does this image have to do with Amos’ subsequent message? What application does that image have for us today?
Think About It
Amos’ message is an unwelcome one. It promises death and destruction for the infidelity of the nation, but the fact that it is unwelcome does not make it untrue. What unwelcome but true messages—i.e. unpopular but consistent with scripture and tradition—are addressed to us today? Will we reject them or heed them?
Next Sunday
The Sixth Sunday After Pentecost, July 20, 2003 (Proper 11B)
Isaiah 57:14b-21; Psalm 22:22-30; Eph. 2:11-22; Mark 6:30-44
