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We’re well on our way through summer and through Pentecost. This Sunday we have before us the theme of justice and compassion. The psalm of the day, the passage from Amos 7, and the gospel lesson all focus on an aspect of justice and compassion.

PSALM 82-JUDGES: JUDGE JUSTLY!

In this short psalm the writer takes us to the heavenly court and envisions God pronouncing judgment on lesser powers of justice. Scholars are not sure as to whom these lesser beings are; perhaps superhuman beings, or the elohim could refer to the gods of Canaanite mythology. At any rate, the psalmist points out the unjust practice of bad justice: favoring one party over another (v. 2). "Uphold the cause of the weak and the fatherless," cries the psalmist to the lesser gods (v. 3). The psalm concludes with Asaph handing down his own judgment: "Though you are gods . . . yet you shall die as mortals die" (v. 6). So be careful how you judge, o judges!

AMOS 7:7-17-DIRE WARNINGS

Our social critic prophet is at it again. Amos has harsh words and dire predictions for Israel’s future. In an effort to staunch such morale-destroying words, the court priest Amaziah demands that Amos stop prophesying in Israel since "the country cannot tolerate all his words" (v. 10). The prophet Amos replies with even more vitriol and vituperation, predicting that King Jeroboam’s wife will, in the end, resort to prostitution, his children will fall by the sword, Israel will be deported, and that the king himself will die in foreign captivity.

COLOSSIANS 1:1-14-INSIGHTS FROM A LETTER

We begin what will be the first of four Sunday readings in Colossians. Placed together they will provide our listeners with warmth between writer and recipient, model prayers, high theological thoughts about Christ, and useful instructions for Christian living. Our present lesson includes the epistolary greeting and introduction and the mention of memorable missioners that would have been known to the recipient congregation. The second paragraph leads Paul into a marvelous and timeless prayer for insight, the discovery of personal mission, and strength.

LUKE 10:25-37-GO AND DO LIKEWISE

We have both Luke’s setting for what may be the world’s most famous parable and Jesus’ telling of it on this Sunday. The setting is introduced by "an expert in religious law" and begins with a question-What must I do to receive eternal life? (v. 25). A series of questions and counter-questions lead us into the story of the Good Samaritan that raises far more questions and issues that any homily could have time to address. Yet, the story is timeless in that every succeeding congregation and generation needs to view the broad view of God’s saving heart (It’s not about you-it’s about others) for the world. What better way to hear God’s passion than in this parable!