Sermons

  I like words. I’ve always been a fan – reading, talking, playing with meaning – and a good thing too, considering my vocation. So

The vision that Jesus models – for a society modelled on God’s lovingkindness and compassionate justice – is ALWAYS going to generate conflict and division. Capitalism works reasonably well – but it comes with costs that once may have been hidden, and now are bursting into view. Costs for the climate – for the economy – and for a society built around a competitive, win-lose model of business. Competition for profit, for market, for resources and for a finite consumer budget drives predatory practices and leaves deep (and often permanent) scars.

The Holy nation – the proud and mighty product of David’s struggles – is now divided…and crumbling. Exile is coming for many. Oppression for most.

We are a stubborn bunch. We want the best God has to offer – we call ourselves faithful for all the right reasons – but

Amos is a simple person at heart. And he’s unable to avoid the obvious – speaking plain truth into a complicated situation. He imagines that

  I imagined a summer side-trip into one of the prophets. A book that gets the occasional tip-of-the-hat in the ordinary lectionary cycle. Amos. I