crushing
“Beware, I will crush you into the ground as a wagon crush when laden with sheaves.” —Amos 2:13
The Israelites were in danger of being crushed because of their sins (Am 2:13). Some of the sins they committed were:
- putting money and a comfortable lifestyle above people (see Am 2:6).
- trampling the heads of the weak and forcing “the lowly out of the way” (Am 2:7). (Compare this to abortion.)
- being lustful and therefore idolatrous (see Eph 5:5). Both parents and children were impure (see Am 2:7).
- charging interest on loans (see Am 2:8).
- financing their drinking of alcohol through unjust practices (Am 2:8).
There are striking parallels between the sins of Amos’ time and those of our society. Living a comfortable lifestyle is the main issue on the minds of most people in our culture. We hardly notice our injustices against the poor, weak, and lowly. Impure behavior is a regular occurrence and is either condoned, ignored, or encouraged. Moreover, abortion is commonplace.
We must repent or be crushed (Am 2:13). The Lord wants to forgive and save us, but He won’t force us to accept His love. God does not have a double standard. He is just. He will treat us like Sodom, Gomorrah, or the Israelites of Amos’ time, unless we repent.
Go to Confession as soon as possible. Take responsibility for your part in the sins of our society. Jesus was already crushed for our sins (see Is 53:10). Obey God, so that Satan is crushed instead of you (see Rm 16:20).
Prayer: Father, may I repent and then help others take the sins out of their lives (see Mt 7:5).
Promise: “Teacher, wherever You go I will come after You.” —Mt 8:19
Praise: St. Junipero Serra was a Franciscan priest who converted thousands of Native Americans up and down the California coast.
Reference:
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