Our role in speaking truth to power

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to consider how we self define our role in Jesus mission as the process of our salvation calls us to exercise authority as His representatives.

Present His message

The Prophet Amos explains to Amaziah his commission to prophesy to Israel.

* [7:14] I am not a prophet: Amos reacts strongly to Amaziah’s attempt to classify him as a “prophet-for-hire” who “earns [his] bread” by giving oracles in exchange for payment (cf. 1 Sm 9:3–10; Mi 3:5). To disassociate himself from this kind of “professional” prophet, Amos rejects outright the title of nabi’ (“prophet”). By profession he is a herdsman/sheepbreeder and a dresser of sycamore trees, but God’s call has commissioned him to prophesy to Israel.

Paul explains God’s plan for full salvation in the Letter to the Ephesians.

* [1:13] Sealed: by God, in baptism; cf. Eph 4:30; 2 Cor 1:22.* [1:14] First installment: down payment by God on full salvation, as at 2 Cor 1:22.

In the Gospel from Mark, Jesus sends disciples to represent His authority to all people.

* [6:7–13] The preparation for the mission of the Twelve is seen in the call (1) of the first disciples to be fishers of men (Mk 1:16–20), (2) then of the Twelve set apart to be with Jesus and to receive authority to preach and expel demons (Mk 3:13–19). Now they are given the specific mission to exercise that authority in word and power as representatives of Jesus during the time of their formation.

Larry Hopp asks if it OK to leave the God “stuff” to others, to those “called”?

In Mark’s gospel, Jesus tells us that we need not worry that we may not have what it takes to complete God’s plan for our life.  We simply need to trust that He is with us and that He will provide everything we need. The disciples, all simple ordinary men, grasped this truth and were able to share the good news of Jesus with power and effectiveness well beyond anything they could ever have imagined.  God used each of them just like He has planned to use each of us.

Don Schwager asks what kind of authority and power does the Lord want you to exercise on his behalf?

He commanded them to do the works which he did - to heal the sick. to cast out evil spirits, and to speak the word of God - the good news of the gospel which they received from Jesus. When Jesus spoke of power and authority he did something unheard of. He wedded power and authority with self-sacrificing love and humility. The "world" and the "flesh" seek power for selfish gain. Jesus teaches us to use it for the good of our neighbor.

The Word Among Us Meditation on Ephesians 1:3-14 suggests one way to ponder this amazing truth: take today’s second reading, and wherever you see the word “us,” substitute your name.

As overwhelming as this may sound, let this truth sink in today. Even if there were 100 trillion people, it doesn’t matter. You—with all your quirks and idiosyncrasies—were in God’s mind and in his heart from the beginning. He created you with a specific purpose, and he longs for you to be with him forever!

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, is a follower of both Jesus and Francis of Assisi. Father Richard’s primary moral viewpoint is not based in the well-being of those who are on top but those at the bottom.

Parker Palmer describes the impact when this is not our priority: “When we forget that politics is about weaving a fabric of compassion and justice on which everyone can depend, the first to suffer are the most vulnerable among us—our children, our elderly, our mentally ill, our poor, and our homeless. As they suffer, so does the integrity of our democracy.”

Speaking truth to power is one responsibility for disciples who represent Jesus message in society.

References


(n.d.). Amos, chapter 7 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved July 15, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/amos/7

(n.d.). Ephesians, chapter 1 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved July 15, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/ephesians/1

(n.d.). Mark, chapter 6 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved July 15, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/mark/6

(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections .... Retrieved July 15, 2018, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html 

(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved July 15, 2018, from http://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/ 

(n.d.). 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Mass Readings and Catholic Daily .... Retrieved July 15, 2018, from https://wau.org/meditations/

(n.d.). Daily Meditations Archives - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved July 15, 2018, from https://cac.org/category/daily-meditations/