Amos denies his critic’s claim that he is a professional prophet; he insists he was unexpectedly called by God, just as the Twelve 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.”

Jesus commissioned the disciples to go “two by two.” It’s typical of American culture to want to go it alone, to be the Lone Ranger. And this is especially true with our relationship with God and our faith.

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 remember “firsts” in our lives because they are guideposts to where we’ve been and to where our lives are now pointed. Remember that first kiss? Or that exciting first time driving the family car all alone?

Her peers on the faculty watched as her body wasted away. They sat quietly eating their lunches during meetings, knowing she was in the bathroom purging hers

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. Around the bend in the lake we met an old couple sitting on rickety lawn chairs fishing.

God has chosen us from before the foundation of the world. Let us offer our prayers to our God who has adopted us as daughters and sons and made us coheirs of the promised kingdom.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. A commentator has pointed out that the passage from Ephesians read today is a model for the Eucharist and the rest of Christian liturgy, especially in its focus on Christ and the Trinity.

For who would not blush for shame, strip himself of his possessions, and embrace a life of poverty when he saw an apostle carrying neither bag, nor even bread which is so very essential? —Theophylact (c. 1050-1109)