Homily Thirteenth Tuesday of Ordinary Time (Amos 3:1-8, 4:11-12) “Whose Side am I On.”

Homily Thirteenth Tuesday of Ordinary Time (Amos 3:1-8, 4:11-12) “Whose Side am I On.”

The Prophet Amos exercised his ministry in the Kingdom of Israel in the eighth century before Christ.  Amos was not a sophisticated religious leader.  He was a simple shepherd, but he was aware of the injustice that was in Israel at that time. He took up a prophetic ministry and spoke out.

He saw how the rich were living in luxury. The poor were living in squalor. He could be quite descriptive in his poetry. He says this about Israel:

“they sell the just man for silver and the poor man for a pair of sandals.  They trample the heads of the weak into the dust of the earth, and force the lowly out of the way.  Son and Father go to same prostitute profaning my holy name.”

Amos could remind us a lot of Jesus.  Jesus lived as a common laborer.  He spoke with a simple eloquence.  When he saw injustice, he was quite blunt in his criticism.  Jesus felt compelled to speak.  Amos felt the same way.

In recent times when the poor have suffered the church has appealed not only to scripture when it has offered a critique, but the church speaks about a social justice principle.  The principle is called, “the fundamental option for the poor.”  What does that mean?

What the church is saying is that whenever there is a power struggle between the rich and powerful and the poor and destitute as they compete for resources or for fundamental rights the church always sides with the poor.  The church has often taken the side of influential people who have oppressed the poor in the course of history. It can’t be that way.

If we follow in the footsteps of Amos and Jesus church members must take up the cause of the oppressed.  There will be push back.  We see that today in the church as Pope Francis speaks out for the poor, but we can’t forget our obligation towards the lowly.

1. Do I consider myself wealthy or poor?  What is my living situation?

2. Are impoverished people who live in other countries as important as I?  What privileges would I be willing to forgo to assist the destitute?

Dear Parishioners,

          Our schedule is the same this week.  We will have 8 a.m. Mass every morning.  On Tuesday and Thursday, we will livestream Mass and we will have communion afterwards in our parking lot.  On Wednesday we will have Adoration and Benediction following morning Mass. Friday we will have a Rosary before Mass.

          There will be no work in the church this week.  We hope that we will move forward with the work on the windows next week. 

          I continue to hear of people who are not aware we are having Masses on the weekend.  If you know someone who is living alone and does not have access to a computer, please inform them of our weekend schedule.

          May Mary and All the Angels and Saints protect you today.

          Fr. Mark