Scripture reflection for July 1, 2008

Scripture for Tuesday of 13th week, July 1, 2008. Amos 3:1-8; 4:11-12.
Psalm 5:4-6,6-7, 8. Matthew 8:23-27. Lectionary # 378.

Amos, our prophet for the liturgical celebration today, would have
been content to keep trimming "sycamore" trees and dressing vines. He
loved his simple life, but the Lord had other plans for him. He was called
to be a prophet for both the North and for Judah in the South.Alas, he had
a difficult call; neither North nor South would want to hear God's message
through him. In the North worship was done at Bethel; in the South at
Jerusalem. In our selection from Amos we can easily see some verses that
describe his prophetic vocation and his courageous and fearless acceptance
of it. Here are the verses which help us to understand him, "The Lord
speaks--who will not prophesy?""O Israel, ...prepare to meet your God!" and
then, "Indeed the Lord does nothing without revealing his plan to his
servants the prophets." Amos not only recorded these words but lived them
out to the fullest. He proclaimed the just punishment of God to be meted
out to Bethel and Jerusalem. The People of God were not observing their
part of the covenant. As a prophet he had to make them aware of their
wandering from the stipulations of the loving-kindness and fidelity of God
shown in the covenant given at Sinai. Despite his many messages of
condemnation and punishment he offers also the great consolation of God and
thus gives hope and trust that the people will return to their senses and
accept the goodness and kindness of a loving God.
We then listen to a great nature miracle of Jesus. The disciples are
threatened by a powerful storm while they are fishing on the Lake of
Galilee. They realize that Jesus isn't bothered by the storm as he sleeps
amidst the thunder, lightening, and the roar of the waves. They cry out in
desperation, but are so scared that they really are not putting their trust
in Jesus. He is dismayed at their lack of trust and courage, but does calm
the lake. Only then do they show awe at his mighty work. Perhaps, Matthew
is also using this event to keep the church of his time--some forty years
later--to trust and have deep faith in the Lord even though the community
is suffering with many problems. Our own faith both in Jesus and the
Church has to be shored up with a deepening trust and hope that God will
bring it to safer waters and to the shore. We may be led to pray for the
Pope and the bishops on this day. Amen.