Sunday Reflection
Amos, a herdsman and dresser of Sycamore trees without prophetic lineage or experience, preached against injustice and oppression of the poor by the rich and powerful. Amaziah, priest of Bethel, asked him to go away. Admitting his humble origin, Amos said that he came with the accreditation from God to ‘go and prophecy’. In the Gospel Jesus summoned and sent out the twelve apostles, mostly uneducated fisher-folk, with a mandate to preach, heal and drive out evil spirits.
Amos and the apostles received the authority from God who chose and sent them. Facing challenge and opposition as God’s ambassadors, they acted on His behalf. The result of their mission was amazingly successful because, trusting in the One who sent them, they remained faithful to Him. The secret of their success is explained in St. Paul’s Christological hymn if blessing: “Blessed be God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ…. Thus, He chose us in Christ before the world was made, to be holy and faultless before Him in love.â€