Being steadfast in our agreements and covenant with God, a reflection on Amos 3:3.
We read from Amos, an unconventional prophet, during the reign of Jeroboam II in Israel and Uzziah in Judah around 760 BC. A farmer and a shepherd by occupation, Amos was called by the Lord to denounce worldliness and announce the judgment and mercy of God on those who turn to the Lord.
Sometimes, Amos’ prophecies pose questions that lead to a deeper evaluation of the current situation. For example, in today’s reading, the question, “Do the two walk together unless they’ve agreed to do so?” is an exposition of the state of the relationship between God and His people. Speaking on behalf of God, Amos reveals that God’s people have not been faithful to their part of the agreement (covenant) with God.
Covenants and Agreements
Think about service level agreements (SLA), where a service provider and a customer document the obligations of the former and the latter. The document is binding unless mutually agreed to end. A functional society only exists due to some level of agreement among individuals. How could marriage exist without a man and woman coming together in agreement? Indeed, it is impossible to have all the sports competitions and other team leisure events without teams coming together to some level of agreement.
The Church cannot exist and fulfill its mission without the different parts of Christ’s (mystical) body being in agreement. In the book of Acts of the Apostles, at the very first council of the Church, we read about how the apostles’ mission and decisions were guided by the Holy Spirit. Their agreement with the Holy Spirit authorized them to establish long-lasting decisions on specific issues (See Acts 15:28).
Being Steadfast
As we ponder over our daily interactions, we may recognize various agreements with different individuals. Today, Amos beckons us to scrutinize the state of our agreement with God. Are we upholding our end of the bargain with God?
In this introspection, we should also consider if there are any detrimental agreements in our lives that we should terminate. Furthermore, it is crucial to contemplate what leads us to default in our agreement with God.
God never defaults. He is always steadfast. However, His perfect love is not dependent on our faithfulness. Amos’ prophetic message today includes a call to pause for a reevaluation, particularly when storms arise. If the storm had not occurred, the disciples would not have realized that Jesus is more than a prophet and that He deeply cares, even in His silence.
[Readings: AM 3:1-8; 4:11-12; MT 8:23-27]
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