The community of Taizé sing Beati voi poveri: ‘Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the Kingdom of God.’

Today’s reading is from the Prophet Amos.

Amos 8:4-7

Hear this, you that trample on the needy,

and bring to ruin the poor of the land,

saying, ‘When will the new moon be over

so that we may sell grain;

and the sabbath,

so that we may offer wheat for sale?

We will make the ephah small and the shekel great,

and practise deceit with false balances,

buying the poor for silver

and the needy for a pair of sandals,

and selling the sweepings of the wheat.’

The Lord has sworn by the pride of Jacob:

Surely I will never forget any of their deeds.

This is a very challenging text for us to pray through. What does the prophet think is the most important thing to get right in our religious practice?

The targets of the prophet’s criticism are those who are feeling impatient for something. What are they impatient for?

Now listen as the passage is read a second time for you. Notice how you feel as you hear these words...

Amos 8:4-7

Hear this, you that trample on the needy,

and bring to ruin the poor of the land,

saying, ‘When will the new moon be over

so that we may sell grain;

and the sabbath,

so that we may offer wheat for sale?

We will make the ephah small and the shekel great,

and practise deceit with false balances,

buying the poor for silver

and the needy for a pair of sandals,

and selling the sweepings of the wheat.’

The Lord has sworn by the pride of Jacob:

Surely I will never forget any of their deeds.

In these closing moments, speak to God about any ways in which you have been challenged by this passage... Perhaps there is one action you would like to take today to help those in need...

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be

World without end

Amen