Sr. Bincy Thumpanathu CMC
READING : “I hate, I despise your religious festivals; your assemblies are a stench to me. Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Though you bring choice fellowship offerings, I will have no regard for them. Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream! (Amos 5:21-24).
REFLECTION : This passage focuses on the dramatic reversal of what Israel had anticipated; the sacrifices they had expected would be pleasing to the Lord are instead detested by him. 5:21-23 declares that Israel’s acts of worship are totally unacceptable. Though the reason behind the Lord’s outright rejection is not spelled out in detail, from the sentiments expressed in verse 24 (“let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream”), one can deduce that it is connected to the widespread practices of corruption and injustice.
The people of Israel were guilty of repeatedly violating the heart of the teachings of the Lord, by oppressing the poor and trampling the needy, a recurrent theme seen throughout the book of Amos. All the while they were busy offering hollow sacrifices to the Lord. It is made abundantly clear that to the Lord these sacrifices and offerings were displeasing, and that he found their gatherings to be contemptible and insulting and their songs and instrumental music to be irritating. Performing these hypocritical rituals, while at the same time, disregarding the principles of social justice is not what the Lord desired. This was nothing, but a sham, and something that could never find favour with the Lord.
The message conveyed here is that worship offered to the Lord is evil and offensive, when those concerned fail to comply with the Lord’s demands to uphold justice and righteousness. Their religious observances are, in fact, repugnant to the true meaning of worship. The Lord whose commands have been disobeyed would prefer the people’s faithfulness, to the charade of their empty acts of worship. Rushing to the shrines and offering up empty sacrifices in the expectation that they would please the Lord and thus be saved is self-deceiving folly. Justice and righteousness is what the Lord desires and no amount of religious ceremony can be a substitute for moral duty.
PRAYER : Lord, we often beseech you with many prayers and petitions. Renew our hearts by giving us a fresh awareness of true worship. May we come to understand the importance of the pure life, one endowed with justice and truth. Let us always keep in mind the words of God: “what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.” Bless us and kindly lead us, Lord!
CONTEMPLATION : Sit comfortably and let your soul slowly be calmed. Keep your mind free of all distractions, and gradually experience the presence of the Lord. Hear the tender voice of the Lord who speaks in the silence of your heart. Imagine, the Lord gently inviting you to carefully examine your prayer life. Then ask yourself: Are my prayer offerings sincere or mere exercises of the tongue? Is my daily worship genuine and performed with due reverence? How highly do I value justice and righteousness in my relationship with others? Do I truly respect others and give them their due?
ACTION : • Let all your dealings with others be governed by fairness and justice.
• Consider the poor, the weak and the needy and avail of every opportunity to extend to them a helping hand.
