Monday, March 22, 2021
Balthasar Van der Ast: Still LIfe with Basket of Fruit
Vision of the Fruit Basket
The time is ripe to have done with my people . . .
Locusts and fire are turned away when the prophet pleads the case against destruction. The plumb line measures behavior and this time Amos is silent except to record what he sees. Amos dares to engage with the corrupt priest, Amaziah. And now he brings us a vision of the fruit basket, the symbol of a life lived justly, honestly and lovingly, without corruption or deceit.
God says: My prophet Amos served the people well. Many did not heed his words. They relied instead on their influence and wealth, not understanding that all of this passes away under my hand. Do they care for the poor, the orphan and the widow? They do not. They tend to their comfort and power base. Do they believe that the devastation Amos predicts will fall upon them? They do not. They are immune to his words, they believe that the world’s woes are not theirs; and they believe Amos’ visions to be false. Do they heed my words as brought to them by my faithful prophet? Again the answer is no.
Rather than mercy from those whom God has blessed with power, we see exploitation and cunning.
Rather than love from those whom God has blessed with intelligence, we see narrow-mindedness.
Rather than compassion from those whom God has blessed with fruitful lives, we see greed.
As we continue our Lenten journey, let us consider what visions we have been sent . . . and how we respond to them.
Tomorrow, Against Greed.
The Noontimes 
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