That's Not Fair

I grew up with two younger brothers. We were always getting into things that we shouldn’t. If one of us did something wrong, we all took the wrap for it. My mom would say, “Boys, get in here.” She would proceed to line us up and we would all get a couple lashes to the bottom. If we would questions her as to why she whipped us all for the mess up of one, she would say, “Because I’m sure you need it so I ‘m just going to get it out of the way.” She was probably right. It seemed that even though I or one of my brothers did not commit the crime we usually had a hand in encouraging, enticing, or persuading the other one to do the dirty deed. Regardless, one of us would always say when we were about to get whipped, “That’s not fair.”
Amos is the earliest of Israel’s prophets from whom we have a book of writings. The name Amos means “burden bearer,” and it fits, for Amos carries the burden of being the bearer of bad news. Nobody likes to hear about evil and injustice, especially when times are good. For the people of God during the time of Amos, life was good. He comes on the scene during one of the most prosperous periods of Jewish history. Israel is free of enemies; the economy is sound; society is stable. But Amos can’t help but see that within this outward peace there is a rottenness that is creeping into society. He sees cheating in business, the court system is corrupt, the poor are neglected, and religion has grown shallow and meaningless. The people have become self-indulgent and selfish.
Tormented by this, Amos, a farmer in overalls, cries out. Through the prophet Amos, God is saying that if we neglect the issues of justice and righteousness then even our best worship and gifts are unacceptable to Him. For Amos, God is a God that deals with justice. God is angered when those in power take advantage of those who do not have power. God despises the abuse of power because those in authority have been given responsibility of making sure that justice is done. God does not accept our sacrifices if the hands that give those sacrifices are stained with the blood of others. We cannot work for justice and live in injustice.
There is this great moment in the life of Mother Teresa when a wealthy woman from the United States find Mother Teresa, whips out her checkbook, and says, “I want to write you a check to support your work.” Mother Teresa looks up, shakes her head and says “No money.” “What?” “No Money. “You don’t want to take my money?” I have a lot of money, this money can help you.” “No money.” “No money! Well, then what can I do?” Mother Teresa smiled, took her by the hand, and said, “Come and see.” She led this woman deep into the heart of Calcutta, until she finally came upon a small, grimy child. Mother Teresa said, “Take care of her.” And so the woman took a cloth, and bathed the little girl, took a spoon and fed her. And she reported later that her life was changed. Mother Teresa once said, “You don’t have to go to Calcutta to share in my work. Calcutta is wherever you are. Where you are, there are people who hurt, who need love.” Come and see. Touch someone. Love them.