Amos the prophet where today's 1st reading is taken is not
just a shepherd and dresser of sycamores. He is a herdsman, rancher and a
wealthy person. He lives in the garrison city a place dominated by people of
power who live in luxury. He lived in affluence and belonged to the clan system
which is a guild or crusade to maintain the purity of the tradition of the
temple (Ark of the Covenant). He was well educated and embraced the clan
wisdom. Although he experienced a luxurious
life he was also aware of the injustice and plight of the people being a
sycamore dresser who worked in close contact with the people. When God called
him he was already aware of both worlds. And the Lord took him from what he was
doing and summoned him to prophesy to the people. He came to a point when he no
longer owned the choices and decisions he made. This is given once a person
takes upon one’s self the duty of a prophet and the same is true when we put
the will of God in our lives over our own. Atty. Moya said in his talk on
Family and Social Morality that there should be no confusion between authority
and power or obedience and inferiority. This really makes sense in as far as
what Amos did is concerned. He mentioned that Amos clearly demonstrated to us
obedience to God's authority over power and inferiority owing to the
inappropriate situation he was in and status in life. Amos was able to
differentiate the highest authority of God over the power of the priest of Bethel and his obedience
which can never be taken as inferiority since he is also a man of power and
wealth during his time. In the same way but definitely based in our present
status in life, whoever, whatever, wherever and whenever, we are also being led
to do something in response to God's call to apostleship. It should clearly be
well established that our response is based on the authority of God and out of
obedience. May we like Amos also get over our own personal idiosyncrasies and
really get down to the real business of God. Let us not be deceived by the
false misrepresentations of the world thinking that we can get away from our
accountabilities or attempt to merge opposing worlds or acquire a little of
both. It is either heaven or hell, God or Satan. There is no in between. For no one is above or over, exempted or
excluded from the power of God. He will see to it that justice is served. Amen.
Hallelujah!
Amos 7:10-17
12 Amaziah, priest of Bethel ,
said to Amos: “Off with you, visionary, flee to the land of Judah Bethel ; for it is the
king’s sanctuary and a royal temple.” 14 Amos answered Amaziah, “I was no
prophet, nor have I belonged to a company of prophets; I was a shepherd and a
dresser of sycamores. 15 The LORD took me from following the flock, and said to
me: Go, prophesy to my people Israel .”
I know that none of us is perfect but through our
imperfections we can always run to God for help and guidance. He will never
refuse nor forsake us for He can only love and care for us. Upon reading the
psalm today the song entitled, "Your Words Are Spirit and Life" by
Bernadette Farrell was impressed to me. It is a beautiful song that I have
always loved to sing and I just realized that the words of this song are taken
from this psalm which made me start singing it. Well, we just have to fully
discover what the words of God can make us do. We've got everything we need
because there's nothing more that God could and should do for us that He has
not done. All we have to do is completely trust and obey the judgments of the
Lord. Amen. Hallelujah!
Psalm 19:8, 9, 10, 11
R: The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are
just.
7 [8] The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul;
the decree of the LORD is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple. (R) 8 [9]
The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the command of the
LORD is clear, enlightening the eye. (R) 9 [10] The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever; the ordinances of the LORD are true, all of them just. (R) 10
[11] They are more precious than gold, than a heap of purest gold; sweeter also
than syrup or honey from the comb.
The gospel for today urges us once again to look beyond not
only what the situation suggests but beyond the words being said to us by
Jesus. The scribes were not only very shortsighted and but also short of hearing in the sense that
they chose to entertain evil thoughts rather than on the most essential and
most important things which are the only ones that could bring healing and
fulfillment in our lives. Sometimes we fail to understand and see what the
situation or words being said to us really meant. We should always think that
God who is Holy and All Good can never be capable of willing something bad to
happen to us. Although it is a truth that almost all Christian believers would
agree to, it is not always the case when it comes to the kind of life we live.
Sometimes our own lives do not reflect the faith that we profess. Just like the
scribes in today's gospel who are supposed to be the learned and well versed
when it comes to the word of God but failed to live it in their lives. We are
also guilty of this despite our frequent attendance to prayer meetings, bible, Catholicism
studies and having experienced and witnessed the wonders and miracles God has
done in our life, still there is a moment when we succumb to despair and doubt.
May we always focus on the goodness of God and disregard the evil tendencies
and inclinations that we often harbor in ourselves. Amen. Hallelujah!
Matthew 9:1-8
...When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic,
“Courage, child, your sins are forgiven.” 3 At that, some of the scribes said
to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” 4 Jesus knew what they were thinking,
and said, “Why do you harbor evil thoughts? ...
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