Make it your aim to do what is right, not what is evil, so that you may live. Then the Lord God Almighty really will be with you, as you claim he is. Hate what is evil, love what is right, and see that justice prevails in the courts. Perhaps the Lord will be merciful to the people of this nation who are still left alive.The Lord says, “I hate your religious festivals; I cannot stand them! When you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; I will not accept the animals you have fattened to bring me as offerings. Stop your noisy songs; I do not want to listen to your harps. Instead, let justice flow like a stream, and righteousness like a river that never goes dry.(Amos 5:14-15, 21-24)
This passage reminds me of all the false people of faith who hate on others yet self-proclaim their own righteousness; they see themselves as better than the people they hate and persecute. This passage calls attention to my own false ideas of discipleship. According to the prophet Amos, this is not how God sees true worship. We are called to be people of love and care, loving what is good and right while eschewing all that is evil. We are called, moreover, to be people of justice and right behavior. All of this begins and ends with our love of God and neighbor, every neighbor.
How many times, though, do we witness or take part in the opposite? We claim to be good Christians while at the same time we watch the world around us suffer without doing anything about it. Instead, we turn the channel or pass by the panhandler. How may times do we hate on those who we label as sinners, yet we ourselves are guilty of just as much sin, if not even more? We give money, we show up to church functions, and we support the ministries of our parish. As we do this, however, we scoff at those outside of our circles, pointing figurative fingers while casting mental judgment.
Through the prophet Amos, God reminds me that my life as a Christian is not about the ceremony and exclusive "club" of the church. Following Christ is not about nurturing my righteousness and belonging to the right group of worshipers. Instead, following Jesus is about loving God and neighbor, no matter who those neighbors are. It is about being transformed into a person of love and self giving so I can bring the love of Jesus to all people in all groups.
Peace,
Stan
