When I sit down to prepare a reflection after having read the passages for that week, I quite often look to the internet for comments and then, most of the time, I have to re-read the passage to see what I missed. It also happens when I listen to Sunday’s sermon, but thankfully I get to hear it twice since I am also at the 8:30 service. Sometimes it is a hidden message that I maybe didn’t hear or read properly (or maybe I wasn’t listening), but too often it is a word or two, or even an entire line that I may have skipped over. It can happen to many of us, but for the most part it isn’t an issue, that is, until we start discussing what we read (or thought we read) to others, or write a reflection on it and that is what gets us into trouble. We read or hear part of something, not getting all of the facts and jump to conclusions or even spread our misunderstandings to others. Oh how stories can change from one person to another.
What God expects is that we do the same for all of his creations. Love all people equally and treat everyone and everything with respect, because it they all came from God.
I almost did that with this reflection. My first quick read through of the Amos passage earlier in the week, had me unhappy and I was not sure how to write about it. I did not read all of the words nor did I truly read it. I guess I just glanced at it enough, to see a mean God and I don’t like it when we hear stories of a mean God. How can I, as a Deacon, ask someone to turn to God at anytime and ask for help, forgiveness or whatever is on their minds or in their hearts?
I needed to look at it between the lines. If I read deeper into this passage, I am looking at it as more of a teachable moment for the people of Israel. Going against God, over and over again will not be tolerated. Just like a parent who reprimands (and even threatens) a child for doing something they are not supposed to be doing. I guess sometimes the threats can become reality but with help from the parent/God, it does not. God doesn’t have favourites, he may be a bit disappointed with some of us, but we are still his children and he loves us just the same. What God expects is that we do the same for all of his creations. Love all people equally and treat everyone and everything with respect, because it they all came from God. God is angry with the people of Israel because of their treatment of the poor. They may worship God, but that seems to be a fleeting thing because they are anxious for the Sabbath to be over so that they can get on with their evil ways. How many Christians today, go to church on Sunday, and then forget God until the next time they go into the church? This is what God is upset about here. Yes, the people of Israel are worshipping and making sacrifices, yet they have forgotten to carry out what God has taught.
Amos says that the children of Israel are no longer protected by the sacrifices they bring. They are no longer the oppressed people that God freed, but they have indeed become the oppressors. They have become greedy. Anxious for another day, when they can sell grain and get back to their evil ways. They even sold the “sweepings of the wheat”. I checked this out and a couple of suggestions on this were that this was the left over wheat in the fields or was on the threshing floor. By ‘sweeping’ it from the ground it would have contained dirt, dust, rocks and pebbles and therefore those to whom it was sold, would be getting less of the wheat itself. I also read that this was to be left for the poor to pick up and not have to buy it, or to be left for the animals to pick up in the fields.
Most of us don’t sell wheat, and therefore can say we would never do this, but what are we doing that might be somewhat the same? Are we giving fully of ourselves? Do we put in a full day at work or do we ‘fudge’ our hours a bit, when no one is paying attention? Are we giving enough or ourselves or our money to those who need it? What more can each of us do? I quite often hear people say things like “I can’t possibly do anything more in my day” and that might be so. However, I know that for me, many days I find myself spending a considerable amount of time in front of the television, playing games on the iPad and just wasting my time. If I took even a little bit of that time and spent it helping others instead, I know that it would mean more. The more I help others, the better I feel. (and I know from experience that most people feel better when someone is there for them).
This week I spent a few extra mornings at the breakfast program just wandering around outside chatting with the guests, wishing them a good morning and smiling. Most of them know my face, (at least my face above the mask) from being at the door a couple of mornings per week. Now they see my whole face, the face with a smile they can see and they get a bit more of my attention if they want it because I am not focused on what they want to eat. I am there to listen, chat or just be there.
Previously, I would have thought that I couldn’t do any more mornings at the program, but then I realized that all it takes is a bit of organization, getting up around the same time but instead of sitting in front of the television or staring at the iPad, before work, I can instead, be a better Christian, help out others and feel better for it. I am learning more and more from the people I meet one these mornings. These mornings have become teachable moments from God in the way of those I meet and once again I can say… and here I have been thinking I was helping them.
So… Is there more that you can do?