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Mass Readings
Reading 1: Amos 7:12-15
Responsorial: Psalm 85:9-10, 11-12, 13-14
Reading 2: Ephesians 1:3-14 or 1:3-10
Gospel: Mark 6:7-13
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/071121.cfm
https://www.deaconrudysnotes.org/
Welcome back for another edition of deacon rudy’s notes! I’m Deacon Rudy Villarreal, and together we’re going to break open the Word!
I’m today’s 2nd reading, St. Paul tells us how much we are loved. We are like adopted children. We are chosen and beloved. And God wants to lavish his graces upon us!
That is Good News!
But not everyone wants to hear the Good News. You see, accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior means that Jesus is at the center of our lives – not fear or anger or conspiracy theories.
But there are people out there who benefit from fear and mistrust and conspiracy theories. They consider the hope of Jesus Christ as a threat to their way of life.
That what our first reading is about. You see, the prophets of that time were employees of the king. Undoubtedly the message they preached was watered down. The king’s prophets didn’t want to rock the boat.
But Amos says he doesn’t belong to a company of prophets. He was a shepherd and a fruit farmer who was inspired to share God’s message of truth. And the truth was inconvenient for the king. But that didn’t stop Amos.
We see that in today’s Gospel too. Jesus send the disciples out two-by-two to share a message of hope – a message of redemption too a people caught up in doing rather than in being God’s beloved children. But Jesus says not everyone will accept this message.
Who are the modern disciples? Who will bring the message of hope into this world?
My brothers and sisters, by our baptism, each of us are called priest, prophet and king. Today’s Gospel reminds us that we are invited to share the Good News with everyone we encounter. We are called to bring the message of faith, hope and love into a world that desperately needs to hear some Good News!
Homework! Nourished by the Word and the Eucharist, I invite you to reflect on the following two questions.
First, do you allow yourself to feel like a young child, wanted, chosen and blessed?
Second, in what ways can you help others experience the hope of Jesus Christ?
I think doing our homework will help us go out into the world as the missionary disciples we are called to be! Do you got it? Do you get it? Good! Now go make disciples! May Almighty God bless you Father, Son and Holy Spirit. +Amen!
Thank you for joining me today. Our theme music was composed by Silent Partner. You can find all sorts of helpful information on the website at www.deaconrudysnotes.org. I’m Deacon Rudy Villarreal. Join me again next weekend as we break open the Word. Peace!
Image: Artist. Jesus sending out the disciples two-by-two. JPG
Bibliography/Suggested Readings:
1. Healy, Mary. The Gospel of Mark. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2008. Kindle.
2. Montague, George T. SM. Mark: A Popular Commentary on the Earliest Gospel. Steubenville, Ohio: Franciscan University Press, 1992.
3. Williams, Peter S. Ephesians. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2009. Kindle.
Catechism References http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm:
1. Mission of the apostles: 2, 551, 858-60, 1122
2. God reveals his plan: 50, 257
3. God revealed as Father of the Son: 240
4. God’s gracious plan: 257
5. God’s glory: 293-94
6. Mary as a unique example of being chosen before the foundation of the world: 492
7. Redemption through Christ: 517, 1992
8. The Holy Spirit as God’s guarantee and seal: 693, 698, 706, 1107, 1296
9. Church called to proclaim and bear witness: 737-41
10. Origin and scope of the Church’s mission: 849-56
11. Church as holy and blameless: 865, 1426
12. The fulfillment of God’s plan: 1043
13. Meaning of “blessing:” 1078-79
14. The Spirit as anticipation of fullness: 1107
15. Baptismal anointing with the Spirit: 1241
Baptism as seal: 1272-74
16. The Spirit as seal: 1295-96
17. Confirmation’s effects: 1302-5
18. Anointing of the sick: 1499-523
19. Disciples share in Christ’s healing mission: 1506-159
20. Prayer of praise: 2639
21. Adoption as children in the Son: 2782
Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/071121.cfm
Lectionary: 104
Reading 1
Amos 7:12-15
Amaziah, priest of Bethel, said to Amos,
“Off with you, visionary, flee to the land of Judah!
There earn your bread by prophesying,
but never again prophesy in Bethel;
for it is the king’s sanctuary and a royal temple.”
Amos answered Amaziah, “I was no prophet,
nor have I belonged to a company of prophets;
I was a shepherd and a dresser of sycamores.
The LORD took me from following the flock, and said to me,
Go, prophesy to my people Israel.”
Responsorial
Psalm 85:9-10, 11-12, 13-14
R. (8) Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.
I will hear what God proclaims;
the LORD —for he proclaims peace.
Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him,
glory dwelling in our land.
R. Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.
Kindness and truth shall meet;
justice and peace shall kiss.
Truth shall spring out of the earth,
and justice shall look down from heaven.
R. Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.
The LORD himself will give his benefits;
our land shall yield its increase.
Justice shall walk before him,
and prepare the way of his steps.
R. Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.
Reading 2
Ephesians 1:3-14 or 1:3-10
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has blessed us in Christ
with every spiritual blessing in the heavens,
as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world,
to be holy and without blemish before him.
In love he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ,
in accord with the favor of his will,
for the praise of the glory of his grace
that he granted us in the beloved.
In him we have redemption by his blood,
the forgiveness of transgressions,
in accord with the riches of his grace that he lavished upon us.
In all wisdom and insight, he has made known to us
the mystery of his will in accord with his favor
that he set forth in him as a plan for the fullness of times,
to sum up all things in Christ, in heaven and on earth.
In him we were also chosen,
destined in accord with the purpose of the One
who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will,
so that we might exist for the praise of his glory,
we who first hoped in Christ.
In him you also, who have heard the word of truth,
the gospel of your salvation, and have believed in him,
were sealed with the promised holy Spirit,
which is the first installment of our inheritance
toward redemption as God’s possession, to the praise of his glory.
OR:
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has blessed us in Christ
with every spiritual blessing in the heavens,
as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world,
to be holy and without blemish before him.
In love he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ,
in accord with the favor of his will,
for the praise of the glory of God’s grace
that he granted us in the beloved.
In him we have redemption by his blood,
the forgiveness of transgressions,
in accord with the riches of his grace that he lavished upon us.
In all wisdom and insight, he has made known to us
the mystery of his will in accord with his favor
that he set forth in him as a plan for the fullness of times,
to sum up all things in Christ, in heaven and on earth.
Alleluia
Cf. Ephesians 1:17-18
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ
enlighten the eyes of our hearts,
that we may know what is the hope that
belongs to our call.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
Mark 6:7-13
Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two
and gave them authority over unclean spirits.
He instructed them to take nothing for the journey
but a walking stick—
no food, no sack, no money in their belts.
They were, however, to wear sandals
but not a second tunic.
He said to them,
“Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave.
Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you,
leave there and shake the dust off your feet
in testimony against them.”
So they went off and preached repentance.
The Twelve drove out many demons,
and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.