Page 3 - Awaken ~ Summer 2024

July 14, 2024
Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
P F L A U M G O S P E L W E E K L I E S F a i t h F o r m a t i o n P r o g r a m
Awaken is written and edited
by Jo Ann Paradise, D.Min.
Amos 7:12–15
Amos was a shepherd in Judah
around 730 b.c. At this time, there
was a division of the land that
resulted in two kingdoms: Israel
in the north and Judah in the
south. Amos prospered during the
reigns of King Uzziah of Judah
(the southern kingdom) and King
Jeroboam II of Israel (northern
kingdom). He was a shepherd and
a dresser of sycamore trees. He
pruned stalks and protected the
small fruit, eaten mostly by the
poor, from insects. Amos travels to
Bethel in the north to pay his tax to
the priest at the shrine. The money
was given to the king of Israel.
Amos, who has been called by God
to speak to his people, warns the
Jews that they will suffer at the
hands of foreigners if they do not
repent and reform their lives. The
priest scolds Amos and tells him to
go home.
Ephesians 1:3–14
At the beginning of the Letter to
the Ephesians, Saint Paul shares a
blessing with the community. This
form of blessing is found in the
communal prayer of the Jewish
people. We use the word liturgical
to describe a communal prayer
that is repetitively used in worship.
The Creed we recite during Mass is
considered a liturgical prayer. When
you read this part of Paul’s letter
you can almost hear, “We believe
in God the Father almighty....We
believe in the love he destined for
us…. We believe that in him we
have redemption….” In this poetic
and beautiful letter, we are given a
summary of God’s plan and action
in our lives through the ages. We
call this plan and action salvation
history.
Mark 6:7–13
In the first five chapters of Mark’s
Gospel, we heard Jesus teach about
God’s Kingdom and we saw his
wondrous actions, the power of
God’s love, healing body and soul.
Today, Jesus calls the Twelve and
tells them it is their turn. Can you
put yourself in their place? They
are probably still overwhelmed at
Jesus’ ability to perform miracles
and speak with such authority. Now
Jesus is asking them to go two by
two and do the same. My response
would probably be, “You have to be
kidding!” Add to that the next set of
instructions: no extra clothing, no
food or sack, and no money. By the
way, many people won’t believe what
you say.” You can almost hear Jesus’
thoughts as he watches their faces,
“How much do they trust me?”
Amos 7:12–15
Ephesians 1:3–14
Mark 6:7–13
Sunday’s
READINGS
Today’s readings focus
on the need to speak,to
proclaim, the Good News.
What might you need to
be comfortable speaking
about your faith?
What might make you
uncomfortable about
proclaiming the Good
News?
Thoughts for
REFLECTION
Opening
PRAYER
Jesus, if I do not know you, I
cannot trust you. Help me to
respond each day to the urging
of your Holy Spirit to grow in
friendship with you. Amen.
Becoming Disciples of the Word
Scripture Background
What You NEED to KNOW
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