SAINT JUNÍPERO SERRA, PRIEST (OPTIONAL MEMORIAL)

They sell the just man for silver. 

Amos was a prophet who wasn’t afraid to confront those in power. An outsider from Judah who had originally worked as a sheep breeder, he was called by the Lord to prophesy to the leaders of the northern kingdom of Israel. Unlike the prophets who were employed by the king, Amos was independent. He had no “skin in the game,” so he was able to say exactly what these leaders needed to hear.

For the next six days, we will read from the Book of Amos. Some of his words will make us uncomfortable, but that’s the point. Amos saw how the rich and powerful were exploiting the poor and needy, how they were selling “the just man for silver” (2:6). And he warned them of the consequences of such actions: “The strong man . . . shall not save his life” (2:14).

This sin—the strong taking advantage of the weak—has always plagued humankind. It was a problem even for the people of Israel, despite the fact that the Law of Moses prohibited such behavior. And despite Jesus’ teachings and the example of his own life, it remains a temptation for all of us.

That’s why 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.”

Amos 2:6-10, 13-16
Psalm 50:16-23
Matthew 8:18-22