Truly there is no season when the bracing and challenging words of the prophets are not needed. This month, prophecy rules in the daily Mass readings, as we hear from Amos, Hosea, Isaiah, and Jeremiah in turns.

Amos denies his critic’s claim that he is a professional prophet; he insists he was unexpectedly called by God, just as the 12 apostles were and just as each of us is, so that, in the words of Saint Paul, “we might exist for the praise of God’s glory.”

Among my favorite scenes in biblical history is a screwball comedy moment between Amaziah, priest of Bethel, and Amos. Comedy in Amos? You betcha. Admittedly Amos is not naturally a funny guy, and probably doesn’t have a joke-y bone in his body.

We in the United States are so enamored with self-reliance, affluence, and control that—left to our own devices—we’d probably draft a mission plan opposite of what Jesus gave.

My family and I were on a walk while at my parents’ cottage on a small lake in Southwest Michigan when we got a lesson about life.

As we prepare to celebrate the mystery of Christ’s love, let us acknowledge our failures and ask the Lord for forgiveness.

To convert somebody, go and take them by the hand and guide them.

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