Tips Of Our Fingers

“Amos is central to the Bible and Jesus.”  This is one of the convictions of Marcus Borg listed in his 2014 book, “Convictions: How I learned what matters most.”  Until Borg mentioned this prophet, I very seldom thought of this man who was a shepherd living during the reign of Jeroboam II from 786-746 B.C. 

The Book of Amos is sandwiched between the Books of Joel and Obadiah and gets little attention compared to prophets like Ezekiel or Jeremiah.  Borg suggests we all read it to hear Amos’ judgment of nations, words and woes for Israel, and symbolic visions of threats and promises that speak to all of us about 2,800 years later.  Unlike bell bottom pants, his words have not gone out of style. 

According to Borg, “Amos was about God’s passion, God’s desire, God’s dream, and God’s yearning for the transformation of this world to a world of greater economic justice.”  Amos lambasted everyone especially the corrupt leaders of Israel.  For example, speaking on behalf of God, he said: “Thus says the LORD: For three crimes of Israel, and for four, I will not revoke my word; Because 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…Yes I know how many are your crimes, how grievous your sins: oppressing the just, accepting bribes, repelling the needy at the gate!...”

Amos reminds us of a recent comment given by Pope Francis and highlighted in the June 20 issue of The Anchor.  He said, “For everyone who has any kind of authority over others, the one sin ‘at your fingertips’ is the sin of corruption…Corrupt politicians, corrupt businessmen, and corrupt Church leaders – they’re everywhere…Humbly serving others is the only way out because corruption comes from pride, from arrogance, and service makes you humble.”

In light of the Pope’s pointed remarks and rock-solid attitude, I guess each of us should ask: “Where can I serve?!”

Deacon David Pierce