Just a simple shepherd.

Homily

15^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Sunday 14^th July 2024

First reading	Amos 7:12-15
Responsorial Psalm	Psalm 84(85):9-14
Second reading	Ephesians 1:3-10
Gospel	Mark 6:7-13

 

At this time of year, many students are beginning to settle into their summer breaks. The end of year exams is over, and they can breathe a sigh of relief because they can focus on more leisurely activities and put the grind of education behind them. Some students will be nervously waiting to hear their results which come out in August, and they will be worrying about whether they achieved the passes, merits, distinctions, distinction stars, A stars or so many points that will allow them to go on to study at college or university.

Some will be concerned that even if they get their desired results, will they be able to get the student loan or manage to get a scholarship so they can afford to take the next step. A lot of effort has gone into getting to this point. Long nights studying and revising, anxieties about whether they have it in them to sit the exams or write the assignments to a level that demonstrates their mastery over the subject they are studying.

In this world, so much effort is put into achieving a set of exams that will lead on to another set of exams, from GCSE and A level courses in Northern Ireland, to Junior Certificate and Leaving Certificate in the Republic. Diplomas, Degrees, Master and PhDs.

All this to prove to a potential employer that we have reached a level of education to earn a reasonable living based on knowledge achieved.

I remember while studying, someone said look after those who get A stars, they’ll be the ones who will get PhDs and lead research into new science, technologies and everything else you can think of. Look after those with Bs and they will get the Degrees and Diplomas, they’ll be the managers. Look after the Cs and Ds, they will be your workers. But those you need to take care of most are those who fail the courses. Why?

It's simple, they will be the ones running the companies that employ all the others. They will be the shepherds, the ones who think outside the box. The ones who are not frightened to dream and see all kinds of possibilities, having the courage to make things work where others did not believe it could be done. They are the ones who will listen to the call, where others have doubts, they will believe.

Amos was considered a nuisance by Amaziah, the priest of Bethel. Amaziah wasn’t interested in prophets. But Amos was just a simple shepherd looking after a flock of sheep. Yet, his mind wasn’t clouded by what the brotherhoods of prophets were taught. His mind was open and heard the Lord call. And he trusted in him and obeyed. He was simply asked to “Go, preach to my people”.

The Psalm reminds us that if we are faithful, show mercy, bring justice and peace, the world will become faithful, and justice will come down from heaven. Those who trust in God, will prosper, the earth will be fruitful and there will be peace.

Paul tells the Ephesians that each one of us has been chosen by Christ before we were born, we are his adopted brothers and sisters. Through his death we have been saved, and his purpose will no longer be a mystery to us. God’s grace will bring us wisdom and we will know the right path we have been called to follow.

Jesus chose his Twelve disciples and then sent them out in twos. They preached repentance and Jesus had given them authority to cast out demons. They were able to cure many sick people. They were told to simply trust in God, to not prepare for the journey, to bring no provisions, no money and take the charity offered to them. If they went into a home and they were welcomed they were to stay there until their work was done, but if they were shunned, they were to brush the dust off their feet. God would provide them with all their needs, all they had to do was follow his instructions.

In today’s world, if God has called you to read for a doctorate, he will make this path clear for you and provide for all your needs. If you find that you have not achieved the qualifications you had hope for, know that your path has a different journey, and your education will take a different route but is just as important as anyone with a PhD.

Each one of us has a purpose in this life and we will be provided with all we need when we need it, if we put our faith in the Lord. The journey will have it’s ups and downs. Yet, if we have the courage to admit when we have gone wrong and can learn from these mistakes, especially when we realise how we have journeyed away from God, we will see our lives improve. God will allow us to prosper, will shower us with wisdom and give us the authority we need to fulfil his purpose for our lives. When we examine our own conscience and listen to what God asks us to do, the results will be the highest grades we need.

Amen.

 

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