The readings for this week are Amos 7:7-end and Luke 10:25-37.  So we continue our journey through the prophets as we meet Amos, set alongside the very well known 'Parable of the Good Samaritan'.

It is, though, perhaps the opening verses of the Luke passage that best sit alongside what Amos is on about, "love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbour as yourself... do this, and you will live.'"

Amos was at work at a time of peace in Israel early in the 8th century.  It was a time of peace - the great empires of Egypt, Babylon, and Assyria were each relatively weak; the Arameans (remember Naaman from last week) had been beaten; and for a while Israel and Judah weren't fighting either.  Peace led to international trade, led to an increase in economic strength, led to increased urbanisation.  It was a time of plenty - and should therefore have been a time of rejoicing.

But Amos' witness tells us those gifts weren't gratefully received, and equitably shared - the wealth became concentrated in the upper classes, the relative ease led to a lesser dependence of God - and social injustice, and societal immorality grew.  Sadly it's a story that repeats again and again through history.

Amos calls it out - he bravely goes against that powers that be by pointing out that when wealth, power, and social status become our goals and motivations then we lose sight of our shared humanity, and lose touch with our own true identities.  This way he says lies disappointment, lack of fulfilment, futility.  Amos uses the images of exile and destruction.

His deepest desire is to see people seek instead the God who creates, loves, and sustains them.  To God who alone is the source of life and foundation of being.  To God who is the sole source of the one identity that can never change, that can never be erased - that of beloved child.  And identity that, when embraced, overflows - and the love released into the world cannot be overcome.  That - as Jesus says - is a route not to death, but to life.

Which path are you walking?

Pause for prayer: It's very easy to look at society and point fingers, and complain about what is wrong.  What's much harder is to look at our own lives and ask, 'How am I contributing to this?'.  What can be even harder is to do something about it.  Take some time to rest in the presence of God, and let your thoughts drift over the world you inhabit - locally, nationally, internationally.  Are there people/places/events that particularly resonate with you, that arouse stronger feelings than others?  For each of these - there may not be many - it seems God shares concerns around between people, so don't worry if you are more moved by some things than others - for each of these that is good say a deep thank you, and ask Him and yourself if there is anything you can do to increase that good.  For each that is not, ask Him, and yourself, is there anything I can do to bring grace, love, truth, joy, peace into this?