Sunday, July 15
~ Amos 7:12-15 Psalm 85: 9-14 St. Paul to Ephesians Gospel of Mark 6:7-13
Called Once and Forever ~~~
In the upcoming scripture readings for July 15, we are asked to ponder the amazing idea of being called by God to do God’s work in this world. Amazing, because it can be disconcerting and delightful at the same time-a kind of push, pull experience!
We know God created us for a purpose and it is exciting to think that God knows that purpose before we do. It speaks to how greatly we are loved! Psalm 139, though not involved in our readings for today, clearly lets us know that God knew us before we were born! Although this concept may inspire us to want to do great things, it can also be scary and inconvenient.
In our first reading we meet the young prophet Amos tending to his cattle and raising figs in 8th century Israel; a peaceful enough existence…Along comes God who dangles a plumb line asking Amos to identify it. “I am going to apply a plumb line to my people Israel; I will pardon them no more!” (“Uh Oh”), sighs Amos. God’s message is followed by an order from the temple priest that Amos should go and work in the land of Judah and prophecy there. Amos continues to resist, “I am not a prophet or a disciple of one!” “I breed cattle and tend Sycamore trees.” God however, opens Amos’ eyes and heart to the plight of the people under the rule of such as Amaziah. Amos in turn opens his heart to God’s call.
St.Paul who we recall, was knocked from his horse in order that God might get his attention, responded fully and wrote in a letter to a church community in Ephesus, “In love God destined us for adoption into God.” “In God we were also chosen, destined in accord with the purpose of the One who accomplishes all things.” Hmmm… sounds as if God needs us to fulfill God’s plan for us?
Jesus, born fully human grows up and seeks his purpose. It is to teach and heal. However, as we learned last week, he was scorned and turned away by his own neighbors and even family members!
He does not buy into self-pity, but instead turns to his close friends and forms a team! Sound familiar?
All over Central Maine wherever St. Mary’s influences health care you will find teams. I am especially familiar with and proud of those at D’Youville Pavilion: Green, Orange, Blue, Pink,, Yellow. It is a system that flows like a dance, supplying more complete, careful and compassionate care to our residents.
Let us take time this week to honor our own calling. Let us reach out to support others in theirs. Take a moment to look into the eyes of your companions, family members, friends as well as strangers and honor the light you see there. That is the light of our awesome Creator God.
Go Well and Gently, celebrating daily your gifts, your calling!
Elizabeth Lowe
Chaplain
Tags: amos 7, fifteenth sunday in ordinary time, Gospel, gospel of mark, gospel of mark 6, prophet amos, psalm 85, scripture readings, St. Mary's Health System, st. mary's regional medical center, st. paul to ephesians, sunday gospel, Sunday Scribes, word of the lord
