"I was no prophet, nor have I belonged to a company of prophets; I was a shepherd and a dresser of sycamores, an occupation of a common peasant. The LORD took me from following the flock, and said to me, Go, prophesy to my people Israel. Now hear the word of the LORD!"
Amos
The other day, while driving to Burnside by way of the Forest Hills Extension, the line of traffic I was in was stopped by the police. It was just before one of the major overpasses coming from the airport. We were not sitting too long before we realized that we were stopped to allow a convoy of vehicles coming from the airport to pass. The Queen was in one of the cars. After a few moments, we sited the police motor cycles and six long black limousines as they made their way towards the MacKay Bridge to Halifax.
The Queen's visit to Nova Scotia has sure created a lot of attention and interest. I've heard on the news what she is wearing (including hat and gloves) where she is on a minute by minute basis, where she is staying, who is with her, what she is having for dinner including an interview with the person preparing her food. And of course, we have heard as well of the Navy's response to her visit. All the navy ships, with all of their crew in dress uniforms, are lined up in the Bedford basin to salute her as she passes by. I'm not saying all this to be anti-royal or anti-celebrity. I'm really very neutral on this, but I am always surprised at the intense interest that the public and media put on these events.
Today, in our church liturgy, we have a reading from the prophet Amos. Amos, by contrast, was a herdsman living in Judea around 700 BC. You might say that he had the lowest of all jobs, but was a man of wisdom and discernment. Living in Judea during a time of great prosperity, he noticed things going on in Israel that he did not like, particularly within the power structures of his day. He saw an oppressive ruling class that used its wealth and power to victimize the poor and those of less influence. He witnessed abuses of power motivated by greed that created far-reaching class inequities. He saw that the root of these social crimes was mainly the result of religious decay. Unlike most of the ordinary people of his time, he could not sit back and do nothing. So he did a very unpopular thing: He began to speak out against the abuses he saw.
This herdsman became a prophet for Israel, and a very unpopular one, particularly among those of influence. Although Amos was getting attention, it was not of the celebrity type. Even though he spoke out for what was best for Israel, he was despised and ordered to leave, to go back to tending sheep.
Amos is a reminder to us that all of our pomp and ceremony, all of our feasts, rituals and celebrations are of little value unless they are preceded by justice, fairness, faithfulness and loyalty to God. In other words, those things that build God's Kingdom on earth.
There's nothing wrong with having an interest in royalty or any celebrity as far as that goes, but we must also have an interest in what our modern day prophets are saying, for they have a much more important role in our society. You will find them among the unpopular, among the persecuted, probably among the poor and less influential. You will hear their cry for justice while likely being treated very unjustly. Some can probably be found in prison, or killed or injured by bombs or bullets. They will challenge us, and some may even irritate and provoke us. They will ask us to think less of ourselves and place more value on living together as a peaceful human family.
Among them you may find Amos, Jesus, Martin Luther King, Bishop Romero, Ghandi, Abe Lincoln, Nelson Mandala to name a few. Many will have no names that we know: But the changes they create will be far reaching, and will be based on a vision that is divinely directed; the founding and building of a Kingdom of peace.
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