‘Rise and Walk’: Reflecting on Authority, Forgiveness, and Justice

Greetings on this the Thursday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Am 7:10-17; Ps 19:8, 9, 10, 11; Mt 9:1-8

Amos the Shepherd and Dresser of Sycamores

Amos was a regular guy and he had a tough job. He was given the task to warn Israel of its errors and be a voice of reason to get back to right relations.

His climactic denunciation for Israel, whose injustice and idolatry are sins against the light granted to her. Israel could indeed expect the day of the Lord, but it would be a day of darkness and not light (5:18) … Amos’s message stands as one of the most powerful voices ever to challenge hypocrisy and injustice. He boldly indicts kings, priests, and leaders (USCCB commentary).

Summary

It is a popular thing to discuss free-will and the divine patience – derided by some as constraining! and by others too patient!

• Justice now – if it is for me.
• Free Will – only for me, not him.

Amos shatters that by reminding everyone that hypocrisy and injustice are the true sins. In our gospel portion today, we are given an even more marvelous truth! If Amos is given the task of reminding us to keep right relations, then Jesus is reminding us that the LORD has given every power under heaven to build the righteous kingdom (absence of hypocrisy and injustice). Read these words again when Jesus heals the man with a withered hand. He forgave his sin and he cured his body.

When the crowds saw this they were struck with awe and glorified God who had given such authority to men.

Reflection

For those who rail at Gos fail to recognize He has turned over every power and duty to us. Amos is one example. Jesus another. Here these words as well: Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, “You are gods”’? (Jn 10:34).

Personal Reflection

We just need to own our responsibility, power and duty this Fourth of July. I am in awe that we have been given the power to forgive, to heal and to be just and avoid hypocrisy. Seems to me that is the right relation.

Sacred Readings

Full link: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/070424.cfm

First Reading

Amos answered Amaziah, “I was no prophet, nor have I belonged to a company of prophets; I was a shepherd and a dresser of sycamores. The LORD took me from following the flock, and said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’ Now hear the word of the LORD!”

Responsorial

The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.

Gospel Acclamation

God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.

Gospel

Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”– he then said to the paralytic, “Rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home.” He rose and went home. When the crowds saw this they were struck with awe and glorified God who had given such authority to men.

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry