13th Week, Friday, July 5th
Amos 8: 4-6, 9-12 / Matthew 9: 9-13
Amos foretells terrible days ahead; "People will hunger for God's Word."
Before Amos departed the northern kingdom and returned to Judah, he delivered a disturbing prophecy. After condemning the rich, who "trample on the needy and try to destroy the poor”, he foretells that terrible days lie ahead for Israel. During those days, Israel's world will turn upside down. Joy will turn into mourning, songs will turn into dirges, and day will turn into night. Worst of all, says Amos, God's Word will disappear from the land. The people will wander about aimlessly in a great spiritual desert.
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How much do we appreciate the gift of God's Word? Do we seek to learn more and more about it and follow it as closely as possible? "The Gospel is God's power to save all who believe." Romans 1:16
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Amos castigates the people of Israel for offering sacrifices and observing religious feasts but not rendering justice; they are exploiting their brothers and sisters, who are with them people of the same covenant. He holds out hope for them if they are converted.
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The Gospel, which Jesus preaches and lives, is not a religion based on the self-righteousness of people but a religion of love and mercy based on God’s pure generosity. This makes it possible for a typical sinner – an exploiter and a traitor to his people to boot – to be called to be an apostle. And Christ sits at table with sinners – with Levi-Matthew and his friends, with us now “so that sins may be forgiven.”
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Any society can be generally divided into three classes - the upper class, the middle class and the lower class. As much as the upper and middle classes have their importance, it is the lower class that forms the hands and feet of society. Without the lower class and its contribution to society, then the economy and even the utility system will come to a standstill. For example, when the menial workers go on strike, nobody else seem to be willing to clear the garbage or the other messy jobs.
In the 1st reading, the prophet Amos warned about trampling and cheating the poor and the lower class. He warned that this not only destroyed the bond and fabric of society, it also stirs up God's anger. Because God is fiercely protective of the poor, the lonely and the needy.
We may say that we do not do injustice to the poor or exploit the needy. But how about our acts of omission towards the poor, the lonely or the needy. Do we simply ignore them and think that their welfare is none of our concern?
Also, our self-righteous attitude may have proclaimed a silent judgment on others. In the gospel, Jesus said that it is mercy that counts and not sacrifice. That mercy is found in charity and helping the poor and the needy.
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Opening Prayer
God of mercy, you put the self-righteous to shame and you call sinners to the task of bringing your Son’s salvation to the world. Forgive us our pride and reassure us that we can count on you and your love because we are weak and sinful people. Let us share in your life through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen
