Politics

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Lately, there's be a lot of talk about the current American economic crisis: people losing "our homes," "my golen-parachute," "our private jets," "our food stamps." Across-the-board, a lot of people are losing, whether single moms on Wellfare, or automotive CEO's losing profit (not to equate each experience).

In our debates of whether or not the auto industry should be bailed out (as well as banks), and if struggling families should get assistane; our view of justice (in Greek, is "faithfulness to the intent of a relationship) has become limited.

By no means am I minnimizing the struggles of a family losing their home, or the potential disipation of the U.S. auto industry; but as I read Amos this week, I wondered, "What should we really be focusing on?"

Yes, eceonomic reform is needed, but the Prophet Amos writes to a time, similar to ours, where the rich get richer and the poor are forced to be poorer. Very clearly by way of 8 and a half of 9 chapters, Amos spells out God's anger for those who have acted unjustly. "But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. (5:21-24)."

While most of Amos spells out doom for the unjust, the 5verses promise hope that amid death, God will raise up, repair and rebuild the broken community and not just the individuals who invested wisely.

And that is our hope. That is the Gospel thru Jesus Christ, where there is death, God brings New Life. When Mary expected to find a dead rabbi, she was call by name by a Resurrected Messiah.

We cannot find true Gospel-hope by "sewing $1,000 to get $10,000" as many televangelists would demand. After all, investing in this life's promises, doesn't carry over to God's eternal promise of life eternal (We can't take it with us). This time in our country is not a time to pray for God to guide our stock investments, or as my mom would say, "pray for a free parking space," but a time to look beyond ourselves, and even beyond our neighborhoods and country.

We must look beyond the substances of money and property where moth and rust eat and destroy, if we are to find hope and a vision to pursue the tangible solutions this world needs for peace, health, wholeness, harmony and empowerment.

Justice. It's not just about us.

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