In the rhythm of the Church’s liturgical year, the readings for Thursday, July 2, 2026, bring us face-to-face with two profound examples of God’s restorative power. As we journey through the 13th Week in Ordinary Time, the scriptures present us with the prophet Amos and a paralyzed man in the Gospel of Matthew. At first glance, a shepherd from the eighth century BC and a man on a stretcher in Capernaum might seem to have little in common. However, both stories reveal a central truth about our faith: God does not just fix our external problems; He restores our very souls and calls us to a courage we didn't know we possessed.
At The Pontifical Mission Societies, specifically through the Society of St. Peter the Apostle (SPA), we witness this same power to restore every single day. We see it in the lives of young men and women in mission territories who, like Amos, are called from humble backgrounds to become the spiritual leaders of tomorrow.
"Take Heart, Your Sins are Forgiven"
In the Gospel (Matthew 9:1-8), we encounter a scene that is both physically dramatic and spiritually revolutionary. A man who is paralyzed is brought to Jesus on a stretcher. His friends, and likely the man himself, are looking for a physical miracle. They want him to walk again. They want his legs to work, his muscles to fire, and his independence to be returned.
But Jesus does something shocking. Before he even addresses the man's physical legs, he looks at him and says, "Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven."
To the scribes standing nearby, this was blasphemy. To the crowd, it might have been confusing. But to the man on the stretcher, it was the deepest kind of healing imaginable. Often, we find ourselves "stuck" or spiritually paralyzed. We might be able to walk physically, but we are weighed down by the heavy chains of past mistakes, regrets, or the crushing guilt of things we wish we could undo. We feel unable to move forward in our relationship with God because we are anchored to our past.
Jesus looks at the paralyzed man, and He looks at us today, and says, "Take heart." He has the divine authority to wipe the slate completely clean. This is the first step of restoration: the healing of the heart. Until our hearts are free from the weight of sin, we cannot truly "walk" in the fullness of the life God has planned for us.
The Shepherd’s Courage: The Call of Amos
While the Gospel focuses on the healing power of Christ, the first reading (Amos 7:10-17) focuses on the spiritual courage required to answer God's call.
Amos was not a "professional" religious figure. He wasn't a priest like his antagonist, Amaziah, and he didn't come from a family of prophets. In his own words, he was a "herdsman and a dresser of sycamores." He was a simple farmer, a worker of the land, and a tender of sheep. He was a man who knew the hard work of the sun and the soil.
Yet, God reached into the middle of Amos's ordinary life and said, "Go, prophesy to my people Israel."
When the powerful priest Amaziah tried to silence him, telling him to go back to the land of Judah and "earn his bread there," Amos didn't back down. He didn't have a degree in theology or a high-ranking office to protect him. He had something better: he had the authority of the One who called him.
This reminds us of a beautiful truth in our Catholic tradition: God doesn't always call the equipped; He equips the called. Whether you are a student, a parent, a retiree, or a worker, God's call doesn't depend on your "professional" status. It depends on your willingness to say "yes" and your courage to speak the truth, even when it’s uncomfortable. Amos’s restoration wasn't about physical healing, but about the restoration of his purpose: from a shepherd of sheep to a shepherd of souls.
Arise and Walk: Restoration for Mission
After Jesus forgives the paralyzed man, He addresses the physical reality: "Rise, pick up your bed, and go home."
Notice the sequence. First, the interior restoration (forgiveness), then the exterior restoration (healing), and finally, the mission. The man is not healed just so he can sit comfortably; he is healed so he can "go home." He is restored so he can return to his family, his neighbors, and his community as a living witness to the power of God.
Faith is never meant to be a private "feel-good" experience kept within the walls of our hearts. It is meant to empower us to stand up and walk back into the world. When Jesus heals us: whether through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, through prayer, or through the support of our community: He is giving us the tools to serve others. True restoration always leads to action.
Connection to the Society of St. Peter the Apostle (SPA)
At the Society of St. Peter the Apostle (SPA), we see the "Amos story" unfolding in real-time across the globe. Since our founding in 1889, our primary mission has been to support the formation of indigenous clergy and religious sisters in mission territories.
Many of the seminarians and novices we support come from very humble backgrounds. They are the sons and daughters of farmers, shepherds, and simple laborers: modern-day versions of Amos. They live in places where the Church is young and growing, often in the face of great poverty or social challenges.
When God calls these young people to the priesthood or religious life, they often lack the financial means to complete their education. This is where your support becomes a vital part of their restoration and mission.
- Ordinary Subsidies: We provide for the daily needs and formation of seminarians and novices, ensuring they have a roof over their heads and food on the table while they study.
- Extraordinary Subsidies: We fund the construction and renovation of seminaries, creating sacred spaces where the "modern-day Amoses" can be formed.
- Scholarships: We provide scholarships for future seminary educators, ensuring that the next generation of priests is taught by those who are deeply rooted in the faith.
When you support SPA, you aren't just giving to a charity; you are participating in the "Arise and Walk" moment for an entire community. By helping a seminarian in Africa, Asia, or Oceania, you are giving them the tools to go back to their "homes" and bring Christ’s message of forgiveness and healing to their own people. You are ensuring that the Church grows from within, led by local leaders who understand the hearts of their brothers and sisters.
Reflection: Finding Your Courage
As we reflect on these readings today, we might ask ourselves:
- Is there a part of my heart that feels "paralyzed" today? Is there a past mistake, a nagging guilt, or a deep-seated fear that is preventing me from moving forward in my faith? How can I bring that to Jesus today and listen for His words: "Take heart, your sins are forgiven"?
- Where is God calling me to be like Amos? You might not feel "qualified" to speak about your faith or to serve in a particular ministry. But remember that Amos was just a "dresser of sycamores." How can you find the courage to answer God's call in your own simple, everyday life?
- How can I help others "Arise and Walk"? We are called to be the friends who carry the stretcher. Who in your life needs your support, your prayers, or your encouragement to find healing in Christ?
Conclusion
The Gospel tells us that "when the crowds saw this they were struck with awe and glorified God." It is a beautiful thing to witness the restoration of a human soul and the courage of a humble servant.
May you experience that same awe today as you realize how much God loves you and wants you to be whole. Whether He is calling you to forgive, calling you to lead, or calling you to support the missions, know that He is with you, equipping you for every good work.
Thank you for your prayers and your generosity, which allow us to bring this healing and spiritual courage to the ends of the earth!
: Fr. ADD
The Society of St. Peter the Apostle
Part of The Pontifical Mission Societies
70 West 36th Street, New York, NY 10018
https://pontificalmissions.org/who-we-are/the-society-of-st.-peter-the-apostle