Scripture Reflection for July 3, 2008

Scripture: Wednesday of 13th week, July 3, 2008. Amos 7:10-17. Psalm
19:8.9.10.11. Matthew 9:1-8. Lectionary # 380.

Amos now is at the most dramatic and historic point of tension
between himself, Amaziah, a priest of the Temple of Bethel, and Jeroboam II
of the Northern Kingdom of Israel (786-746 B.C.). He himself was not born
in the Northern Kingdom but in Tekoa near Bethlehem in the Southern Kingdom
while Uzziah was King of Judah (783-742 B.C.). Our reading is more of a
biographical section of the Book of Amos. It shows us that Amos is an
authentic and full-fledged prophet of God who is not afraid of the taunts
and mockery given to him by the King's false priest Amaziah. He is forced
to leave Bethel, which Amaziah deems too sacred a shrine for Amos to be
near. Amaziah claims Bethel as "the king's sanctuary, and it is a royal
house." We learn of Amos former way of life as a shepherd and a trimmer of
trees--called the sycamore, but it is more similar to a walnut tree or a
fig-tree with wide spread branches offering shade to those passing by.
Amos pronounces his judgment on Israel, the King, and Amaziah. The people
are not to be spared in what will happen. We learn then of the great
strength and courage of Amos and his total fidelity to the call God has
given to him. He is living out what our Psalm response has him say, "The
judgments of the Lord are true." (Psalm 19: 10). We need to look to the
end chapter of the writings of Amos in order to see the blessing of hope
that he brings to those who do repent and return to the covenant. "Though
foretelling destruction, his prophecy ends with a description of Israel's
latter-day restoration. According to the Talmud (Mak 24a) all 613
commandments of the Bible were summed up in Amos' single dictum "Seek Me
and live!" This contrasts with what we heard recently, "Prepare to meet
your God!"
Jesus too speaks and heals and has the role of a prophet rejected in
his own country. He heals a parlytic and forgives his sins. This angers
some of those who witness this and make more of an issue of his saying he
heals people of their sins than of the physical cure. Jesus, however, is
speaking from his identity with and his love of God so that his authority
is authentic and comes from the center of his person. He is quite aware
that his power over sin, sickness, and death come from God. He is totally
united with his Father, the God of Israel.
Perhaps, the lesson for us is to be people of courage who witness to
the truth and are committed to the vocation and calls gives us no matter
what status we have in life. We too should be concerned about healing
others with our acts of kindness and consideration and our openness to
meeting and greeting the stranger. We too should harken to the great
summarizing statemnet of Amos, "Seek Me (God) and live." Amen.