Amos on America

Today's Old Testament mass reading from the Prophet Amos was quite remarkable. Amos wrote during a very prosperous period for ancient Israel, one which would end violently after the prophets were ignored.

His warnings may apply equally well to 21st century America. Is our own judgment coming? I'm afraid so.

Thus says the LORD the God of hosts:
Woe to the complacent in Zion!
Lying upon beds of ivory,
stretched comfortably on their couches,
they eat lambs taken from the flock,
and calves from the stall!
Improvising to the music of the harp,
like David, they devise their own accompaniment.
They drink wine from bowls
and anoint themselves with the best oils;
yet they are not made ill by the collapse of Joseph!
Therefore, now they shall be the first to go into exile,
and their wanton revelry shall be done away with.

(Amos 6:1a, 4-7, NAB)