July 14: 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time

July 14: 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Am 7:12-15; Ps 85:9-10, 11-12, 13-14; Eph 1:3-14 or 1:3-10; Mk 6:7-13

In today’s readings, Paul speaks about the incredible forgiveness, love and acceptance that God lavishes upon us (Eph 1:7-8). Even after all Jesus suffered at the hands of the Romans, God’s answer to the crucifixion was not condemnation and punishment. God’s answer was resurrection and the offer of new life for all.

For many of us, this forgiveness may seem unbelievable. When we look at the world, we see that Christ is still crucified in many ways. We see terrible things every day in life and on the news. Some days it is unbearable.

How can we forgive all these things? We might decide forgiveness is not possible for us, and then fall into the trap of looking down upon and judging others. It is surprisingly easy to lose perspective and become self-righteous.

Amos was sent to prophesy to the people of Israel (Am 7:15). A significant concern of his preaching is how the people have forgotten to live compassionately and with love for the most vulnerable. While his words — and those of the other prophets — are often intense and full of pain and anger, the purpose of this is not solely to judge and condemn. It is to inspire the people to change; to help them remember the loving God who always gives second chances. It is to remind them of God’s calling to them that sits at the heart of the law, which is to love God and neighbor (Dt 6:5, Lv 19:18).

When we forget to live with compassion and mercy, we can become hypercritical of anyone who does wrong. We begin to see others only as “sinners” instead of as beloved children of God, worthy of the redemption and salvation that God offers. Like Jonah, we can become so sure of our own righteousness and morality that we can become vindictive and angry, wanting others to receive punishment and humiliation rather than compassion and forgiveness. But God teaches us something different about what it means to be truly moral. 

Through the example of Jesus’ life and resurrection, God teaches us what it means to live moral lives. True moral living does not make us surer of ourselves as we go. It does not make us feel entitled to judge and condemn others for their mistakes.

True moral living makes us humble and more compassionate toward others. It requires that we are open to the world, not closed off to it. For this reason, Jesus’ disciples are sent out to the world, two by two as with Noah, to bring about new life founded in love for God and neighbor (Mk 6:7). They go out to meet people where they are and to share God’s love with those who need it.

We cannot expect to reach God’s level of compassion and mercy right away. It is a process that takes time. What matters is that we try.

We can start with little things. For example, perhaps you may notice that you often think highly critical thoughts about others or yourself. Let’s say you see someone with a haircut that you do not like. Instead of focusing on what you don’t like about the hairstyle, you can instead rejoice over the fact that the person has found a style they like. This may seem insignificant, but it is simply a starting place. Change and growth come from making small changes consistently, one after the other.

Throughout Christ’s life, death and resurrection, his actions and words echo the Torah’s call to love, mercy and compassion. The season of Lent and Easter have passed and we have entered once again into ordinary time. But, as we know, ordinary time only means that a significant liturgical season has come to an end. It does not mean our time to grow in love and compassion has also come to an end.

Let us all honor Christ’s sacrifice by always seeking new ways to bring his love into the world.