God's word today is about being sent.
In the first reading, the prophet Amos saw himself as a nobody. He was a dresser of sycamore trees. He had a business tending fig trees and sheep. But God sent him to be a prophet for His people.
Most likely, Amos didn't have a background in prophecy. He probably didn't have direct ancestors that were prophets. Most likely, the situation of the time affected his work as a tree farmer and shepherd.
God doesn't call the equipped, God equips the call. God doesn't call the gifted, God gifts the call.
Amos felt God's call to speak to the current idolatry and social injustices that he witness. He saw a greater disparity between the upper class and lower class and he felt God sent him to speak out against it.
When we think about the disparity between the wealthy and the poor, we can't simply advocate for a socialist or communistic environment where free trade or capitalism can't thrive. History shows that that kind of system doesn't work. At the same time, governing intervention is sometimes necessary because greed can also get out of hand. That's probably why, for instance, a few years back we had a collapse in the housing market when people were buying homes with no money down and paying interest only. The government body in an attempt to stimulate the economy allow for free reign, which naturally as human beings, we can get very greedy. If we think we are immune to greed then it is an error in thinking.
Our nation is wonderful because we have an opportunity to freely practice the faith without any worry about persecution. It's not the same in other countries where Christianity is not the main religion or publicly accepted. It's also an opportunity for us look at the status of the U.S.Church and see if we are doing everything we can to be as Pope Francis says a Church for the poor, a church that practices outreach, a Church that doesn't turn away someone in need. It's not just with handouts although those temporary needs are important but it is also looking at the governing systems to see if policies advocate and help those who can't help themselves.
The early Church, after the Feast of Pentecost, we could say, was ahead of their time in regards to outreach and being a place of refuge for those in need. The Early Church according to Acts 4:34: "there was no needy persons among them." Everyone had their fill. Everyone had what they needed. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could say that about our church or nation today, that everyone had what they needed, and there was no needy persons among us.
They were ahead of their time because of the Holy Spirit who helped them to be of one mind, one heart and one body in Christ Jesus. Just as Israel was to be a light for all nations, the Church is to be the light of Christ for all people, being good examples of what it means to love God and love neighbor and to be a prophetic voice and advocate whenever we see injustice, or see a important need, something that needs to be changed so that it is a preview of the kingdom of God, the kingdom that Christ taught and proclaimed, the kingdom that begins at the altar, all can partake of the body and blood of Christ. Here in this holy place, we practice the sharing the peace of Christ, and allow it to manifest as we are sent forth.
God bless you!
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