These reflections are a result of more than 40 years of ministry as a Roman Catholic priest. Most of these years I spent in the Diocese of Charlotte which covers Western North Carolina. Now I am retired, and live in Medellín, Colombia where I continue to serve as a priest in the Archdiocese of Medellín.
Amaziah, priest of Bethel, said to Amos, “Off with you, visionary, flee to the land of Judah! There earn your bread by prophesying, but never again prophesy in Bethel; for it is the king’s sanctuary and a royal temple.” Amos answered Amaziah, “I was no prophet, nor have I belonged to a company of prophets; I was a shepherd and a dresser of sycamores. The LORD took me from following the flock, and said to me, Go, prophesy to my people Israel.” (Am 7:12-15)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/071424.cfm
The prophet Amos had no theological degree, no training. The only qualification Amos had is the call received from God. If God can speak through Amos, God can speak through each one of us. As the old priest used to say, “God calls whom God wills.” Maybe we need to listen up.
In the year King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a high and lofty throne, with the train of his garment filling the temple. Seraphim were stationed above; each of them had six wings: with two they veiled their faces, with two they veiled their feet, and with two they hovered aloft. They cried one to the other, “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts! All the earth is filled with his glory!” At the sound of that cry, the frame of the door shook and the house was filled with smoke. (Is 6:1-6)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/071324.cfm
The Call of the Prophet Isaiah begins with this vision of the Lord and the seraphim. The song of the seraphim is echoed in the Sanctus (Holy, Holy, Holy) of the Eucharist. In one sense the liturgy on earth unites with the liturgy of heaven in one chorus of endless praise.
We shall say no more, ‘Our god,’ to the work of our hands; for in you the orphan finds compassion.” I will heal their defection, says the LORD, I will love them freely; for my wrath is turned away from them. I will be like the dew for Israel: he shall blossom like the lily; He shall strike root like the Lebanon cedar, and put forth his shoots. His splendor shall be like the olive tree and his fragrance like the Lebanon cedar. Again they shall dwell in his shade and raise grain; They shall blossom like the vine, and his fame shall be like the wine of Lebanon. (Hos 14:2-10)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/071224.cfm
We come to the conclusion of the prophecy of Hosea with this promise of restoration. In the prophets, returning to God never means doing “churchy” things, but rather to do the work of justice so that the orphan finds compassion.
Thus says the LORD: When Israel was a child I loved him, out of Egypt I called my son. Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk, who took them in my arms; I drew them with human cords, with bands of love; I fostered them like one who raises an infant to his cheeks; Yet, though I stooped to feed my child, they did not know that I was their healer. (Hos 11:1-4, 8a-9)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/071124.cfm
Today we celebrate the father of Western monasticism. Although there were monks before Saint Benedict, his rule for monasteries, known for its moderation and common sense, became the template for the rules of many religious orders. The first words of the Rule of Saint Benedict are: “Listen carefully, my son, to the master’s instructions, and attend to them with the ear of your heart. This is advice from a father who loves you; welcome it, and faithfully put it into practice.”
“Sow for yourselves justice, reap the fruit of piety; break up for yourselves a new field, for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain down justice upon you.” (Hos 10:1-3, 7-8, 12)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/hosea/10?1
The Prophet Hosea makes the astonishing statement that justice is the fruit of piety. Justice is not optional. Justice is where our love of God should lead us. If our love of God does not express itself in love of neighbor, then we haven’t loved God at all.
