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Karaniwang Panahon
Lectionary: 380
Amaziah, the priest of Bethel, sent word to Jeroboam, king of Israel: "Amos has conspired against you here within Israel; the country cannot endure all his words. For this is what Amos says: Jeroboam shall die by the sword, and Israel shall surely be exiled from its land."
To Amos, Amaziah said: "Off with you, visionary, flee to the land of Judah! There earn your bread by prophesying, but never again prophesy in Bethel; for it is the king's sanctuary and a royal temple." 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!"
You say: prophesy not against Israel, preach not against the house of Isaac. Now thus says the LORD: Your wife shall be made a harlot in the city, and your sons and daughters shall fall by the sword; Your land shall be divided by measuring line, and you yourself shall die in an unclean land; Israel shall be exiled far from its land.
R. (10cd) The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just. The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul; The decree of the LORD is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple. R. The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just. The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The command of the LORD is clear, enlightening the eye. R. The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just. The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever; The ordinances of the LORD are true, all of them just. R. The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just. They are more precious than gold, than a heap of purest gold; Sweeter also than syrup or honey from the comb. R. The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.
R. Alleluia, alleluia. God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. R. Alleluia, alleluia.
After entering a boat, Jesus made the crossing, and came into his own town. And there people brought to him a paralytic lying on a stretcher. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Courage, child, your sins are forgiven." At that, some of the scribes said to themselves, "This man is blaspheming." Jesus knew what they were thinking, and said, "Why do you harbor evil thoughts? 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.
Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner. Via USCCB
Have you ever noticed how God tends to interrupt our "business as usual"? In today’s readings, we see two interruptions. Amos, a humble farmer, interrupts the royal sanctuary with a hard truth, and Jesus interrupts a standard healing request by addressing the deeper issue of sin first. Both Amaziah (the priest) and the scribes try to shut down these disruptions because they don't fit their protocols. God is telling us today that His grace often comes in packages we don't expect-and sometimes, it arrives as an interruption that challenges our comfort zones to bring us true healing.
Let's look closely at Amos. He wasn’t a professional theologian or a career cleric; he describes himself as a "herdsman and a dresser of sycamores." In modern terms, he was a blue-collar worker with a day job. Yet, he was the one God chose to speak truth to power. This challenges the feeling many of us have that we are "unqualified" to share the Gospel. You might think, "I'm just an accountant," or "I'm just a stay-at-home parent, what do I know?" Amos reminds us that God doesn't call the equipped; He equips the called. Your secular skills and daily environment are exactly where God wants to use you.
Be a Stretcher-Bearer: The paralytic was healed because his friends carried him to Jesus. Identify one person in your life who is "paralyzed" by anxiety or grief. Send them a text today saying, "I am going to Mass/praying today specifically for you," and then actually do it.
Sanctify the Ordinary: Channel your inner Amos. While doing a mundane task today (doing dishes, answering emails, commuting), consciously offer that specific labor to God as a prayer for someone you find difficult to love.
When have I felt like Amos-unqualified or out of place-yet felt a nudge from God to speak or act?
Amaziah wanted Amos to leave because his words were uncomfortable. Is there a hard truth or a Church teaching I am trying to "banish" from my heart because it challenges my lifestyle?
Jesus prioritized forgiving sins over physical healing. If I brought my deepest need to Jesus today, would I ask for a fix for my problems, or healing for my soul?
Who are the "scribes" in my head-the critical voices telling me that God’s mercy is too good to be true?
Jesus told the man to "pick up his stretcher and go home." What is the "stretcher" (a past hurt or old habit) that I need to pick up and finally walk away from?
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