Amos

This week's saint has not actually been canonized, so he does not have the title of saint . . . He was a prophet in the eighth century BC.

His name is Amos. And yes, he has a book in the old testament.

Amos was peasant, herding sheep and tending to sycamore trees when he received a call from God.

Know that prophets were not fortunetellers. They foresaw future events in terms of cause and effect . . . they knew that God's covenant was in direct relation to the faithfulness of His people.

I like Amos because he spoke of mercy for the poor, and justice for the oppressed. Guess mankind has not changed much, huh?

THEY SELL THE RIGHTEOUS FOR SILVER

AND THE NEEDY FOR A PAIR OF SHOES

THEY THAT TRAMPLE THE HEAD OF THE POOR INTO THE DUST OF THE EARTH, AND TURN ASIDE THE WAY OF THE AFFLICTED.

I will not go on, but he also poked at the lack of piety the people had.

That got him into trouble with the powers that be. He was expelled from Israel and forced to return to Judah.

LET JUSTICE ROLL DOWN LIKE WATERS

AND RIGHTEOUSNESS LIKE AN EVER FLOWING STREAM.

The stuff in big letters is quotes from Amos.

Pretty weird - something that was written 2800 years ago still holds true....

-Jamie Dillon