READING AND REFLECTIONS FOR THURSDAY  2 JULY 2020

 Amos 7 : 10 – 17                Psalm 19 : 7 – 10                           Matthew 9 : 1 – 8 

Collect : 

Faithful God,

Your love stands firm from generation to generation;

open our hearts to hear your word

that we may seek Christ’s presence

in everyone we meet;

through the same Jesus Christ our Lord,

who lives and reigns with you and the

Holy Spirit,

One God, now and for ever.

Amen 

It would seem that our texts today wish us to reflect upon the consequences of sin and God’s power to both prosecute and forgive. This is certainly true. In the passage from Amos we learn of a prediction of wrath coming upon Israel because of its sinfulness. Likewise, in the Gospel account the miracle that Jesus performs suggests a connection between the paralytic’s affliction and his sinfulness. In the first, ignoring the prophet’s warnings brings affliction. In the second, forgiveness of sins brings healing, spiritual, emotional and physical.  God has power to do what God wills.  

There is a connection between what we do and the state of the world. Nations and peoples, fall into sinful patterns that, over time, come back to haunt and debilitate. Israel’s ancient exile in Egypt stands as a warning. We should also not be too quick to dismiss the connection between human suffering and our sinfulness.  Our greed, our selfishness our pride bring on human suffering.  

Both readings portray God’s message is resisted by humans. In Amos God wants to help, but no one is listening. In Matthew God wants to heal, but this seems to enrage the religious authorities. We see the emphasis shift from the consequences of sin to the human quality of resistance.  We are quick to find excuses, often to keep us in our comfort zone, or to relinquish ourselves from the sin. 

What are we to make of these scribes? They resist the goodness of Jesus because of their preconceived notions of what is and is not religiously appropriate. Their sin is not that they do not believe, but that they do not allow God the freedom to be God. We restricted God into a pattern that is suitable to our lifestyles. 

Where are the points in my life where God is challenging me to change, like Amos challenged Israel?

Where are the points in my life where I receive God’s good news like an affliction/burden?  Am I able to look and relook at this and see the power of God working to change my life?

We are both sinner and beloved children of God. 

Let us Pray :

May today there be peace within.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you
May you be confident knowing you are a child of God.
Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.
It is there for each and every one of us.

Amen

– St. Therèse of Lisieux and St. Theresa of Avila