Saturday, September 26, 2020
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The Three Woes . . . and Restoration
There is an order to nature. Things do not happen by chance. This order comes from God as we hear in the opening lines of Genesis when God brings order and light out of chaos and darkness. We are the people who have walked in darkness and can now see a great light. We are messianic people. We bring light to the world, healing to the poor in spirit, hope to the hopeless, faith to those who live in anxiety, and love to those who have been abandoned or betrayed.
We are messianic people . . . and like Christ, we will be wounded in this journey we make toward the New Jerusalem that we see in Revelation. We will be hounded, persecuted, stoned, vilified and mocked, but we will also be healed, transformed, lifted up and brought up high, filled, rejuvenated and restored. Through the prophet Joel, our God tells us: I will repay you for the years which the locust has eaten. (2:25)
We are messianic people . . . and so many times we hear about restoration being promised from the story of Adam and Eve in the first book of God’s word to the last book of God’s Revelation of the New Jerusalem. We find ourselves slipping into the idea that this restoration comes in the next life but as children of God we are meant to feel this fullness now. The journey will be arduous but we follow where many have gone before us; it is the very journey itself that restores.
We are messianic people . . . and we are the work of God, therefore we cannot be complacent. We must move and act in God, for in this way we become the exit from sorrow and woe not only for others but for ourselves. In serving others from our own wounded-ness and from our own woe, we become healers of others and thereby we become healed.
We are messianic people . . . and as healers we have a part to play in the Economy of Salvation, in this Divine Plan of God’s for our happiness. We have an essential part to play in this world and in the next.
We are messianic people . . .a nd so when we experience woe, we know that we will rest in this grief for a time and we also know that there is joy and celebration to be found in the sadness for as children of God know that God turns all harm to good.
We are messianic people . . . and God yearns for intimate union with us. This union, so many times found through sorrow, brings complete and everlasting joy.
We are messianic people . . . and so we pray . . .
Dearest, loving God, draw us close to you for we wish to be with you always. We know that you are in all things and with all people. We believe that you set all things right. We hope for the perfection of your plan in each of us. We love those who most need our intercession and we understand that by asking for healing for those who need it most we meet you face to face. We are messianic people . . . and so we seek healing and restoration here, now, and for eternity. Amen.
Adapted from a reflection written on December 30, 2007.
The journey is arduous but we follow many who have gone before us. The steps of The Way are well worn . . . and it is the very journey itself that brings restoration. To read a simple reflection on Hosea 6 and the steps for spiritual restoration, click on the image above or go to: http://upwordtogether.wordpress.com/2013/08/02/steps-for-spiritual-restoration/ This site also archives a one-year study of the Bible beginning at: http://upwordtogether.wordpress.com/2012/08/
The Noontimes 
In the book of Amos are there 2 woes or 3? Chp5vs 17 is# 1. Chp 6 vs 1 is # 2
Can’t find another.
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In THE NEW AMERICAN CATHOLIC STUDY BIBLE edited by Donald Senior and others, the day’s citation bears the subtitles of “First Woe” beginning at 5:7, “Second Woe” beginning at 5:18, and “Third Woe” beginning at 6:1. The prophecy has a long list of woes or judgements. From THE MESSAGE version: Chapter 5:7-9 – Woe to you who turn justice to vinegar and stomp righteousness into the mud. Chapter 5:8-20 – Woe to all of you who want GOD’s Judgment Day! Chapter 6:1-2 – Woe to you who think you live on easy street in Zion, who think Mount Samaria is the good life. You assume you’re at the top of the heap, voted the number-one best place to live. Chapter 6:3-6 – Woe to you who are rushing headlong to disaster! Woe to the playboys, the playgirls, who think life is a party held just for them! Woe to those addicted to feeling good—life without pain! those obsessed with looking good—life without wrinkles! The editors have grouped these multiple transgressions into three categories of a woe to those who abuse justice, to those who believe they have lived a just life when they have not, and those who are complacent and do not worry about their fate. Luckily for those who read this prophecy with care, Amos also lists many ways to remedy these woes, many ways to restore justice, light, and life itself. Wishing you a blessed Christmastide. Thank you for stopping by The Noontimes. Senior, Donald, ed. THE CATHOLIC STUDY BIBLE. New York, Oxford University Press, 1990.40. Print.
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