Wednesday of Week 13 in Ordinary Time
Hate evil, love good, maintain justice at the city gate…
I recall a time in a certain workplace which required me to coordinate with many different clients, consultants and stakeholders. My role was complex and I had to manage many individuals who were much more senior to me. During several instances, I witnessed work that called to question the ethics of professional conduct, though by no means illegal. While I valiantly challenged the questionable status quo and sought to diplomatically persuade some decision-makers of the ethical and just cause of my suggestions, I came face to face with a stubborn and prideful response: “Don’t teach a businessman how to do business.” I was stunned and silenced.
I recall other moments where my attempts to steer conversations and ideas towards more fair, forward and just considerations were ignored or mocked. Another person I had respected greatly once said to me in jest, “Oh, you have too much scruples!” In these moments, I began to see through the veil of power and status more as a confounding fog for these seemingly enlightened folks. Despite my disappointment, yet with grateful illumination, I recognised that to cast off one’s scruples, was to gradually invite evil in. I began to distance myself from people who would contribute to corroding my sense of justice and integrity. I pray for them, but clearly know that I do not need to strum the same tune.
Let me have no more of the din of your chanting,
no more of your strumming on harps.
But let justice flow like water,
and integrity like an unfailing stream. (Amos 5:23-24)
Is integrity too costly today in our modern, fast-paced, and capitalistic workplaces? This quite ordinary story in fact may happen to some of us on a daily basis. The challenge to do what is right and just. Is this not the message that Jesus has come to deliver?
The collective message of this week’s Scriptures echo the warning about turning resolutely away from sin and to continue advancing towards the Way of Jesus. Repeatedly, the Prophet Amos shows us his desperate attempt to caution the wayward people of Israel. In fact, Amos did not come from a lineage of prophets. History tells us that he was a shepherd and sycamore-fig farmer from 8th century BC. Someone so unlikely, yet specially chosen to bring the news of prophesy to the wealthy and idolatrous kingdoms in northern Israel of the time. His message was one that condemned social injustice, idolatry, oppression of the poor and religious hypocrisy. This is made abundantly clear in the first reading today. However, Amos was rejected by those he came to help, because their hearts were hardened and they had no regard for his lack of status and lineage.
Likewise, the Old Testament foretells the same reception that Jesus would receive in the Gospel today of the Gardarene Swine. Jesus was confronted by two raving demoniacs who dashed out of the tomb when he entered into the Gardarene country. They begged Jesus not to torture their spirits, but to send them straight into the herd of feeding pigs, who then cast themselves off a cliff and perished together with the demoniacs within them. Despite having demonstrated his immense purity and power to have command over these persistent demoniacs, this act of Jesus did not bring him fame and favour, but caused him to be rejected by the townsfolk. He was promptly asked to depart the town. The presence of his goodness seemed to condemn them, and they wanted nothing to do with this man!
In this moment of narrative repetition, we can surely arrive at the clarity that people who have hardened hearts will shun and reject the good seed of conscience and justice. What may appear to be an unpopular opinion, but calls us to recognition of our errors, should be humbly considered, reflected upon and gratefully received. Little by little, however, if we cast off our scruples and ditch our conscience, we will slowly veer off the straight and narrow road. The easy path is often not the hard, but right way. We need an increase in prayer and graces to soften our hearts. Can we pause to listen to Jesus who brings the message of True Life?
I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, says the Lord;
No one can come to the Father except through me. (Jn 14:6)
(Today’s OXYGEN by Debbie Loo)
Prayer: Lord God, have mercy on all those who are ignorant and deny you. Chastise those who know you, but mock you. Have your way with justice upon those who despise you, and corrupt and oppress others; for your faithful flock need a sign of your righteousness.
Thanksgiving: We thank God for His arc of mercy and justice throughout history. We commend into His almighty hands all the grievances of the oppressed and victims. We trust that while we may not be witnesses to present justice, we can hope in the glory of Christ’s resurrection that will set right all that is wrong in God’s time.
OXYGEN 
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