Readings: Amos 7:12-15; Eph. 1:3-14; Mk 6:7-13
The Lifestyle of a Preacher Reflects His Prophetic Message
1. Last Sunday we reflected on life’s unpleasant realities. This is a thorn in the flesh according to St. Paul: “That I, Paul, might not become too elated, because of the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, an angel of Satan, to beat me, to keep me from being too elated.” (2 Cor. 12:9). We also saw this thorn in the rejection of Christ by his people: “Where did this man get all this? What kind of wisdom has been given him? What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands! and they took offense at him.” (Mk. 6:2-6). Today we are to examine our responsiveness to the message that is preached to us. The preacher – the apostle – or missionary is the one sent to preach. “How can they believed in him of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach? And how can people preach unless they are sent?” (Rom. 10:14-16).
2. A true preacher receives his authority or mandate from the one who sent him. The preacher’s message is not his own and his lifestyle must reflect his message. In the first reading, Amos was sent by God from the South to preach repentance in Bethel in the North. He warned the people about their lifestyle; and reprimanded the rich about their treatment of the poor. He told them that since they took no notice of the poor, except to exploit and use them to advance their own selfish interests and because of social injustice and religious arrogance, the Lord will punish them by means of a total military disaster. His message was direct and uncompromising. Because of this, Amos was rejected and told to go back to the south. But Amos insisted that he was “a shepherd and a dresser of sycamore. The Lord took me from following the flock, and said to me, Go, prophesy to my people Israel.” (Amos 7:15). He told Amaziah that his mandate to preach came from God.
3. The call to preach must come from God. Christ reminded his apostles, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you, And I appointed you to go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.” (Jn. 15:16). Christ called his apostles “To be with him and he might send them forth to preach and to have authority to drive out demons.” (Mk. 3:14-15). The apostles were called to share in the life of Christ, to live with him, to learn from him as he prepared them for mission. Living with Christ enlightened and enabled them to know the difference between right and wrong, between what is important and what is not, between a life of grace and a life of sin. In order to understand the purpose for which we are called, we need real enlightenment which is not the product of human thinking but that which is given us freely from above. Therefore St. Paul prays in the second reading, “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power in us who believe.” (Eph. 1:17-19).
4. That the apostles lived in close proximity with Christ was their strength. It made it possible for them to choose simplicity of life after their Master. In sending them on mission, Christ warned them about their lifestyle. “Learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matt. 11:29). The instruction was simple and direct. They were to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick – no food, no sack, no money. They were to wear sandals but not a second tunic. They were to stay where they were welcome and move on if rejected. Their message was simple: “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” According to Matthew, they were to “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, and drive out demons.” (Mt. 10:8). They were to help those who were hurting and preach good news to the people.
5.
The
message of Christ is in direct contrast to the prosperity preachers of today.
By their dressing and lifestyle, you shall know them. What the Lord requires of
us is to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with Him. (Micah
6:9). Unfortunately, we are encumbered by material things that stand in the way
of preaching the gospel. Peter told the cripple beggar, “Silver or gold I
do not have but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,
rise and walk.” (Acts 3:6) Now we have silver and gold and therefore we
cannot make the lame walk and we certainly find it difficult to live a life of
grace detached from material things. These are hindrances to preaching the
gospel and bringing people to faith. We must put our trust in God, and he will supply
all our needs. Christ cautions “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his
righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matt.
6:33). Let us go and do likewise! Amen.
Rev. Augustine
Etemma Inwang, MSP
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