Amos was not a member of the prophets' guild. He had no special training, he was just an ordinary man; in fact he was a shepherd, and looked after sycamores. But God had called him and given him the mission to prophesy to Israel. His ministry and words were not welcome, for he accused Israel of sin and apostasy. Those in authority ordered him to be silent and to leave the realm. This is the usual response of powerful people and institutions - kill the messenger, forget the message.

This continues in our own time, when the warnings of scientists and others are ignored and ridiculed, especially what we are praying for in this month of July - choose life, respect and protect human life in all its stages. It's not a popular call, but it has to be proclaimed and lived.

Jesus healed the paralytic man, but He also did the unthinkable. He forgave the man's sins, arousing the fury of some of the listeners. After all, only God can forgive sins. By this healing, Jesus was making a claim regarding His own identity and powers. Jesus insists that God's grace and mercy is infinite. Saying "take up your mat and walk" is the same as saying "your sins are forgiven." We should not try to contain or control God, for God's mercy is present everywhere and in every situation. We cannot contain the message of God to be proclaimed.