Have you ever experienced doing something that you have not
planned or intended to do and just happened before you know it or without you
knowing it as if you had no other choice so to speak. This was what happened to
Amos, the prophet whom today’s 1st reading is taken from. Our bible
study teacher, Bro. Willy Santa Maria was so on fire in his presentation of the
Book of Amos since he said that Amos is his favorite prophet. He even tackled
about who Amos really was and gave us a broad and clear picture of what it was
like when God called Amos to prophesy. Which is also why it remained clearly
etched in my mind and was always reminded of it whenever encountering a reading
from the book of Amos. Amos apart from what is written in today's reading 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 7:12-15
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 .”
If things about God are very clear in our minds then there is no need to doubt that
God is the only authority that is worthy of obeying more than anyone and
anything in this whole wide world. Amen. Hallelujah!
P S A L M
Psalm 85:9-10. 11-12. 13-14 (8)
R: Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your
salvation.
...Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him, glory
dwelling in our land...The LORD himself will give his benefits; ...
I was again reminded of the
# 7 based on my personal experience last Oct 7, '07 which I have shared
several times already in the past and further confirmed in the 2nd reading
today as stated in this commentary from Companion which states, "Verse 7
of today’s reading is a critical one for understanding the truth of the Gospel.
It tells us that Jesus redeemed us through the shedding of His blood. This may
sound a little gory, but it is the truth, and it draws on a centuries-old
understanding of the means by which sins have been forgiven — namely through
the offering of the blood of animals (their life essence) to God in
substitution for our own that we have forfeited through sin."
The connections and relatedness of things in the readings have
always inspired me ever since. It comes in a variety of ways. It could be in words,
names, people, places, circumstances and numbers. These things could take on
different meanings to different people. Personally speaking it has developed in
me an attachment to particular bible passages based on my very own experiences.
Putting aside my personal views, today’s 2nd reading is not just about me
but all. We should take its meaning personally, should never be
taken for granted, be very obvious and never mean any thing less than God's
great love since it is the bloody exchange of Jesus life for our sake. Amen.
Hallelujah!
Ephesians 1:3-14
...7 In him we have redemption by his blood, the forgiveness
of transgressions, in accord with the riches of his grace 8 that he lavished
upon us.
This gospel reading commentary by Fr. Joel Jason in Sabbath
also specifically mentioned verse 7 just as the 2nd reading commentary from
Companion which further emphasizes the connection to what the # 7 personally
means to me. Verse 7 in the 2 readings today, 2nd and the gospel, was
considered worth mentioning specifically in 2 different journals (Companion and
Sabbath) by 2 different writers. As if in confirmation to the repetition of the
# 7 in Oct. 7, '07 which holds a very significant meaning for me based on the life
changing choices and decisions I've made on that date.
Here is the article from the Sabbath journal.
"There are people who we are simply afraid of. Before
them, we are always careful, calculating, lest we enkindle their wrath. We look
at them as powerful. Today, Jesus commissions His disciples. They are to do
wonders signifying that the Kingdom
of God
It is almost the same
with the reflection in Didache entitled, "Watch my back" by Ariel
Driz
WATCH my BACK!
He summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two
and gave them authority over unclean spirits. – Mark 6:7
Ray Keller once asked a man who just completed his second
tour of duty from the Iraq
war, “What was the most important thing you learned from the war?”
The soldier’s response was quick. “Well, Mr. Keller, I
learned that it is better to be in a team than to be alone.”
The man explained that while in Iraq , they would walk around and
survey the area. They would have a certain formation such that he would focus
on looking ahead while his partner would watch his back. He in turn would watch
the back of the one in front of him. His commander explained to him that loners
have no place in the war. He would need to work well in a team to survive.
While we are encouraged to spend time being alone with God,
we need the help of partners who would “watch our backs” — whether they be your
spouse, your cell group mates, your mentor, your godly friend…. We need them if
we are to win our daily battles.
It would be good to recognize your teammates and partners
and thank God for them! Ariel Driz
God is always with us. He'll never leave us and we should
forever stay connected to Him for as long we live. If God is with us then who
could be against us. We have to really convince ourselves of this truth and be
confident of the fact that wherever He leads and brings us, He will never
forsake nor abandon us and will surely see us through it all. Amen. Hallelujah!
Mark 6:7-13
7 Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave
them authority over unclean spirits. 8 He instructed them to take nothing for
the journey but a walking stick — no food, no sack, no money in their belts. 9
They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic. 10 He said to them,
“Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave from there. 11 Whatever
place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off
your feet in testimony against them.”...
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