The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to seek that our eyes be opened to see the situation of others and respond with loving action.
The reading from the Prophet Amos is a Judgement on Israel.
* [2:4–8, 12] Unlike the crimes of the nations detailed in this section, which are wrongs against other nations, those of Judah and Israel named here are violations of the Lord’s demands.
* [2:4] The lies: false gods worshiped by the Judahites.
* [2:6] Israel: Amos’s audience would applaud his condemnation of foreign kingdoms in the foregoing seven oracles, especially of Judah. But now he adds an eighth, unexpected oracle—against Israel itself. This is the real “punch line” of this whole section, to which the preceding oracles serve mainly as introduction.
* [2:7] Son and father sleep with the same girl: the crime condemned here may be the misuse of power by the rich who take unfair advantage of young women from the ranks of the poor and force themselves on them, thus adding oppression to the sin of impurity.
* [2:8] Upon garments…any altar: creditors kept the garments taken as pledges from the poor instead of returning them to their owners before nightfall as the law commanded (Ex 22:25; cf. Dt 24:12). Wine…in their temples: lavish feasts for the rich, serving the finest wines in great abundance (see 6:4–7) and funded by the treasuries of local temples (e.g., at Dan and Bethel). The Hebrew in this verse is difficult. Another possible translation would be: “And the wine of those who have been fined / they drink in the house of their god.” (Amos, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 50 praises the Acceptable Sacrifice.
* [Psalm 50] A covenant lawsuit stating that the sacrifice God really wants is the sacrifice of praise accompanied by genuine obedience (cf. Mi 6:1–8). It begins with a theophany and the summoning of the court (Ps 50:1–6). Then in direct address God explains what is required of the faithful (Ps 50:7–15), rebukes the hypocritical worshiper (Ps 50:16–21), and concludes with a threat and a promise (Ps 50:22–23; cf. Is 1:19–20). (Psalms, PSALM 50 | USCCB, n.d.)
The Gospel of Matthew provides advice to would-be followers of Jesus.
* [8:18–22] This passage between the first and second series of miracles about following Jesus is taken from Q (see Lk 9:57–62). The third of the three sayings found in the source is absent from Matthew.
* [8:18] The other side: i.e., of the Sea of Galilee.
* [8:19] Teacher: for Matthew, this designation of Jesus is true, for he has Jesus using it of himself (Mt 10:24, 25; 23:8; 26:18), yet when it is used of him by others they are either his opponents (Mt 9:11; 12:38; 17:24; 22:16, 24, 36) or, as here and in Mt 19:16, well-disposed persons who cannot see more deeply. Thus it reveals an inadequate recognition of who Jesus is.
* [8:20] Son of Man: see note on Mk 8:31. This is the first occurrence in Matthew of a term that appears in the New Testament only in sayings of Jesus, except for Acts 7:56 and possibly Mt 9:6 (//Mk 2:10; Lk 5:24). In Matthew it refers to Jesus in his ministry (seven times, as here), in his passion and resurrection (nine times, e.g., Mt 17:22), and in his glorious coming at the end of the age (thirteen times, e.g., Mt 24:30).
* [8:22] Let the dead bury their dead: the demand of Jesus overrides what both the Jewish and the Hellenistic world regarded as a filial obligation of the highest importance. See note on Lk 9:60. (Matthew, CHAPTER 8 | USCCB, n.d.)
Robby Francis comments that the people hearing Jesus preach and witnessing His miracles were mesmerized by what He was saying and doing, but they missed the deeper meaning of His message: to really follow Him means making very hard decisions.
We can fall into the same trap today. In many ways, we have watered down Jesus' message, turning Him into a sentimental figure. Alternatively, we might take on the role of a self-appointed prophet, condemning those we believe are not living faithful lives, neglecting Jesus' message to love others, even our enemies.
Truly following Jesus requires risk. It means being uncomfortable, perhaps by listening to the opinions of those with whom we disagree. It means standing up against injustices and aligning ourselves with the marginalized, which won’t always make us look good. It can mean leaving behind our comforts, both material and emotional, so that we can contribute to building the Kingdom of God.
What are you being invited to let go of? (Francis, 2024)
Don Schwager quotes “Following the Lord Jesus,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"'Come follow Me, says the Lord. Do you love? He has hastened on, He has flown on ahead. Look and see where. O Christian, don't you know where your Lord has gone? I ask you: Don't you wish to follow Him there? Through trials, insults,the cross, and death. Why do you hesitate? Look, the way has been shown you." (excerpt from Sermon 64,5) (Schwager, 2024)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Amos 2:6-10, 13-16 comments that it’s important for us to take on the heart of God. He loves people who are poor, weak, and vulnerable in a special way, and he wants us to have the same love and regard for them as well. But not only does he want us to care for their needs; he also wants us to defend them against those who would exploit or mistreat them. This means calling out injustice wherever we see it.
Few of us feel up to the task of fighting society’s ills, but the fact is, we don’t have to do this work alone. We can join other Christians who are fighting for change. They need our time, our energy, our financial resources, and most especially, our prayers. Working together, we can be the prophetic voice that Amos was!
“Lord, give me the courage to defend those who are weak.” (Meditation on Amos 2:6-10, 13-16, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler introduces Amos as a prophet in the north who was a dresser of sycamore trees in the south who condemns the ritual and social injustice of Israel by declaring nothing will save them and God will punish them. Jesus offers advice to the scribe who claims to follow Him wherever He goes. Friar Jude reminds us that faith takes us on a journey as we continue to understand where we are and where God wants us to be.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, comments that silence is a foundation upon which we can build our lives.
We need to experience silence as a living presence which is primordial and primal in itself, and then see all other things—now experienced deeply—inside of that container. Silence is not just an absence, but also a presence. Silence surrounds every “I know” event with a humble and patient “I don’t know.” It protects the autonomy and dignity of events, persons, animals, and all things.
We must find a way to return to this place, to live in this place, to abide in this place of inner silence. Outer silence means very little if there is not a deeper inner silence. Everything else appears much clearer when it appears or emerges out of a previous silence. When I use the word appear, I mean that silence takes on reality, substance, significance, or meaning. Without silence around a thing, which is a mystery, it can be difficult to find a meaning that lasts. It’s just another event in a sequence of ever-quicker events, which we call our lives. (Rohr, n.d.)
We implore the Spirit to invoke sacred silence around the events of our journey that bring assessment of our path and commitment to continue to find the Way.
References
Amos, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 1, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/amos/2?6
Francis, R. (2024, July 1). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved July 1, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/070124.htm
Matthew, CHAPTER 8 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 1, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/8?
Meditation on Amos 2:6-10, 13-16. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved July 1, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/07/01/1013923/
Psalms, PSALM 50 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 1, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/50?16
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. The Gift of Silence. Retrieved July 1, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-gift-of-silence/
Schwager, D. (2024, June 30). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved July 1, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=jul1
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