Amos the Prophet is an eighth-century shepherd who died on June 15 and was elevated to sainthood for his teachings. Amos belongs to the group of so-called Minor Prophets who, despite their simple origin, preached true values and mercy. According to the Roman calendar, his feast day is June 15, and according to the Greek calendar, it is June 14 (Amos the Prophet). He lived in Judea in the eighth century B.C. and died in the same century, having lived a long life. I chose this saint not only because his memorial day coincides with my birthday but also because his fate struck me. His death was horrible: first, the scourging, then the iron spikes in his temples (Amos the Prophet). I think his main work, denouncing the evildoers, deserves to be honored.
The saint’s fate seems simple, but at the same time, it reflects the values he preached. Amos the Prophet was a simple shepherd, picking “wild figs” and trying to guide people to the right path (What the Bible says about Amos, The Prophet). Nevertheless, he was one of the first to record his speeches and influence all the other prophets (Amos the Prophet). The book of Amos occupies an exceptional place in the Bible because it contains reflections on the life of a profoundly lonely but righteous man. While making his living cutting wild figs, Amos unexpectedly received a calling. He was commanded to go to the people and proclaim God’s judgment, and Amos could not resist it because the Lord had chosen him (What the Bible says about Amos, The Prophet). He went to Samaria, where he was able to expose the evildoers who were committing atrocities behind the rich walls of the capital city.
Amos had a distinctive style of writing and speech: he was majestic and stern. His nature was whole, unyielding, and stern, and the saint had no tolerance for the sins of society. He did not confine himself to scourging personal sins but pointed out the depravity of humanity. His miracles are not mentioned in the Bible, but he is seen as a true man of God (Amos the Prophet). For Amos, it is the fact that he is not a prophet that proves that the Lord’s words are immutable. If the Lord has chosen him to be a shepherd and not a prophet, he has no choice but to pass on all the Lord’s words humbly. Amos is well aware that he is not speaking for himself because he thinks he is not worthy of being a prophet.
Amos warns of God’s coming judgment, and that injustice (the plumb line image in 7-9) must be very severe. The spiritual authorities reject the prophecies and demand Amos leave Israel, making a harsh judgment inevitable. Amos responds that he has not appointed himself a prophet but has been called to this ministry by God and does what God instructs him to do. Amos is not an indifferent doer but a participant in a dialogue with God in which God reveals His mercy. Amos’s rigor allows him to reason sensibly and communicates his and God’s message through dialogue with the townspeople.
If each person were attentive to their habitual life and tried to recognize evil, they would come close to the figure of Amos. They would also be able to steadfastly carry the thought of justice and personal and social responsibility. By following the precepts of Amos, one can reach heights in God’s favor due to the right way of ordinary people. Perhaps not everyone can become a saint, but a simple living in which they follow universal values and accept no one’s sins guarantees God’s favor.
Works Cited
“Amos the Prophet“. CatholicSaints.Info, 2022.
“What the Bible says about Amos, The Prophet.”Bible Tools.