Above: An Icon of the Prophets Amos and Obadiah
Image in the Public Domain
The Call of God, With All Its Responsibilities
JULY 8-10, 2021
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The Collect:
O God, from you come all holy desires,
all good counsels, and all just works.
Give to us, your servants, that peace which the world cannot give,
that our hearts may be set to obey your commandments,
and also that we, being defended from the fear of our enemies,
may live in peace and quietness,
through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
–Evangelical Lutheran Worship (2006), page 42
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The Assigned Readings:
Amos 2:6-16 (Thursday)
Amos 3:1-12 (Friday)
Amos 4:6-13 (Saturday)
Psalm 85:8-13 (All Days)
Colossians 2:1-5 (Thursday)
Colossians 4:2-18 (Friday)
Luke 1:57-80 (Saturday)
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I will listen, O LORD God, to what you are saying,
for you are speaking peace to your faithful people
and those who turn their hearts to you.
Truly, your salvation is very near to those who fear you,
that your glory may dwell in our land.
Mercy and truth have met together;
righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
Truth shall spring up from the earth,
and righteousness shall look down from heaven.
O LORD, you will indeed grant prosperity,
and our land will yield its increase.
Righteousness shall go before you,
and peace shall be a pathway for your feet.
–Psalm 85:8-13, Book of Common Worship (1993)
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At the risk of sounding like Peter Parker’s uncle Ben, I repeat the old statement that great responsibility accompanies great ability. In the Book of Amos the Hebrew nation had squandered opportunities to be a light to the nations. They had fallen into idolatry, economic injustice, and attempts to stifle prophecy, among other sins. As Amos announced, God was quite upset:
Hear this word, O people of Israel,
That the LORD has spoken concerning you,
Concerning the whole family that I brought up from the land of Egypt:
You alone have I singled out
Of all the families of the earth–
That is why I call you to account
For all your iniquities.
–Amos 3:1-2, TANAKH: The Holy Scriptures (1985)
The hope which Psalm 85:8-13 expressed seemed far removed from reality.
Turning to the pericopes from the New Testament, St. Paul the Apostle, St. Mary of Nazareth, and St. John the Baptist lived up to their responsibilities. St. Paul (who might have even written or dictated the Letter to the Colossians) and St. John the Baptist gave their lives for God. Our Blessed Mother raised the Son of God properly with the able help of St. Joseph and experienced great heartache prior to her Assumption into Heaven.
The call of God, with all its responsibilities, carries great risks, joys, sorrows, and rewards. I, as a Christian, follow Jesus, who gave everything. Dare I shirk my responsibilities and offer excuses instead?
KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR
APRIL 4, 2015 COMMON ERA
THE EVE OF EASTER, YEAR B
THE FEAST OF BENJAMIN HALL KENNEDY, GREEK AND LATIN SCHOLAR, BIBLE TRANSLATOR, AND ANGLICAN PRIEST
THE FEAST OF SAINT GEORGE THE YOUNGER, GREEK ORTHODOX BISHOP OF MITYLENE
THE FEAST OF MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER
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https://blogatheologica.wordpress.com/2015/04/04/the-call-of-god-with-all-its-responsibilities-2/
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