Amos 7:12-15 / Ephesians 1:3-14 / Mark 6:7-18
When there is some work to be done, we would look for people who would be able to do the job well.
So, if we want to renovate our homes, we would look for interior designers and contractors who have a good reputation.
But of course, we would need to pay for their services.
But, let's say, if we have a friend who has an interest in interior designing and DIY renovations.
And he offers to help us with the design and the renovation of our home, would we take up his offer?
The question is whether our preference is for the work to be done by professionals, or to be handled by amateurs.
With professionals, we can expect and demand for a job well done.
As for amateurs, there is certainly an obvious risk. And certainly, we can't entrust an important work or project to amateurs.
At best, they will be able to deliver a “can-do” or “okay” job.
At worst, they will stumble and fumble, and may even end up creating more problems.
But that word “amateur” has an interesting origin. The root word is “amare,” which in Latin means love.
So, it means that amateurs have an interest and an attitude of love in what they do.
In the gospel Jesus summoned the Twelve, and sent them out in pairs, giving them authority over unclean spirits.
And He also instructed them to take nothing with them, except a staff, which is the symbol of the authority of Jesus.
They are to preach repentance, cast out devils, and anoint sick people with oil to cure them.
So, the Twelve had no instruction manual, no prayer book and no tried-and-trusted medicine. And by Human Resource standards, the Twelve are unqualified and unsuitable for the mission entrusted to them.
By human expectations and standards, the Twelve look like some odd leftover rag-tag group of amateurs, who won't be able to achieve anything important, or get anything important done.
We would wonder, why would Jesus choose those kinds of people as His disciples and for such a mission.
He should have chosen the talented and gifted, the qualified and the certified, for such an important mission.
But, that is the way of God isn’t it, so unexpected and so mysterious, and yet so enlightening and so unconforming.
God chooses the lowly and humble, God chooses the amateurs, to show His power and His might.
God wants to tell us that He will do the best, and we just do the rest. Yes, God will do the best, and we just do the rest.
There is a story of a conversation between Jesus and an angel, which is purely fictional, but illustrates a good point.
After Jesus ascended to heaven, an angel approached Him and said, "Master, You must have suffered terribly for men down there." "I did," He said. "And," continued the angel, "do they know all about how You loved them and what You did for them?"
"Oh, no," said Jesus, "not yet. Right now only a handful of people know." The angel was perplexed. "Then, what have you done to let everyone know about Your love for them?"
Jesus said, "I've asked Peter, James, John, and the rest of the Twelve apostles to tell other people about Me. Those who are told will in turn tell other people about Me, and My story will be spread to the furthest ends of the world. Ultimately, all of mankind will have heard about My life and what I have done for them."
The angel frowned and looked rather skeptical. He knew well how weak and poor human beings are.
"But what if Peter and James and John grow weary? What if the people who come after them forget? What if way down in the 21st century, people just don't tell others about You? Haven't you made any other plans?"
And Jesus answered, "I haven't made any other plans. I'm counting on them”
Well, twenty centuries later...Jesus still has no other plan!
There is no "plan B". Jesus counted on His Apostles and early disciples, and they somehow delivered.
Jesus is calling us and counting on us, even though we feel that we are unworthy, unqualified, unsuitable amateurs.
But Jesus is telling us that He will do the best and we just need to pray and do the rest.
Yes, we just need to pray, and as we do the rest, Jesus will show us the marvels and the wonders that He will work through us, His beloved amateurs.