How do you look at yourself?
"Now hear the word of the
Lord!" (Amos 7:16). What God asks of you may not be what you or those
around you expect or even welcome at first. Listening for and following God's
words, though, will never steer you wrong.
Reflecting on Amos today, we can see
that he was considered obnoxious because he preached the need of repentance by
all in Israel Bethel
Despite appearances, Amos had
credentials of the highest order. It was God Himself who had taken him from the
south and his previous work to be a prophet to the northern kingdom. His worth
was not due to his own sagacity but only to the call of God.
Jesus was in much the same position as
Amos. Judging by appearances, many considered Him to be nothing more than a
carpenter's son who had suddenly become a rabbi. He was about forgiveness and
healing for all. When He forgave sins, they accused Him of blasphemy. Jesus who
for us is God in the flesh!
Our heavenly Father acted through the
humanity of Amos and Jesus, His Son, acted through His own humanity. And it all
continues to this day. No priest forgives sins on his own in the sacrament of
Confession. He does so by the power of Christ Jesus granted him by ordination.
It is really Christ who forgives.
In today's Gospel, there is a deep need
for both healing and forgiveness. Jesus forgives, brings new life, and heals
the man paralyzed and burdened by guilt. Jesus comes to us with those same
God-given gifts for us: forgiveness and healing. He is the Lamb of God who takes
away the sins of the world.
In our responsorial psalm today we
prayed, "The law of the Lord is perfect" (Ps 19:8). God can be
trusted in His creation because of His grace. May we listen to God's message
and take it to heart. And by the light of faith may we see God at work among us
through His chosen instruments. How do you look at yourself?