Breaking the Word

13^th Week in Ord. Time, Monday – 1^st July 2024 – Amos 2,6-10.13-16; Mt 8, 18-22

Called to Replicate God’s Benevolence

The first reading is from the book of Amos, a prophet of the Southern Kingdom of Judah. He was a shepherd and orchard worker. He was not trained to be a prophet, yet the Lord called him and sent him to prophesy in the Northern Kingdom of Israel. In today’s reading, he prophesied judgement against Israel. He scolded them for their hypocritical religious devotions while ignoring the demands of social justice around them. He accused Israel of exploiting the poor and the weak, selling their debtors into slavery, corruption into their courts, committing sexual sins, and falling into idolatry. In contrast to the infidelity and sins of Israel, God was faithful, cared for his people, delivered them from Egypt, gave them the gift of land, and raised up prophets. Amos reminds his hearers that they have forgotten the graciousness of God and how God destroyed the Amorites, so that Israel could come into the promised land. God’s care and providence for them should now be reflected in their care and providence of their community, most of all, in the weak and the vulnerable.

Sol. of Sts. Peter & Paul, Thursday – 29^th June 2024 — Mt 16,13-19

Transformed Heroes

Today the Church honours the two great apostles of Rome: Peter and Paul. Peter was a fisherman who became the Rock on which Jesus built his church. Paul was a tentmaker, who became the Apostle to the Gentiles. Peter denied Christ, but then turned and strengthened his brethren. Paul persecuted the Church, the body of Christ and took the Gospel to the ends of the earth. The two incredibly different personalities experienced Christ and got transformed to the extent of dying for his sake: Peter was crucified upside down and Paul was beheaded. Peter was deeply conscious of his sin. His weakness and failings often brought tears of repentant love and deeper trust in the Lord. Paul knew that he was weak but enjoyed the struggles of life. He battled his life, ran the race, and fought the good fight. He trusted not in himself, but in the love of Christ, who conquered all things.