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“But let justice roll down like water and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.”

Amos 5:24

Famous words from the prophet Amos and famously quoted by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in August of 1963 as the Spirit moved him from speech-ing to preaching on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. We’ll be hearing from Amos this Sunday in worship. You might prepare for this Sunday by reading Amos’s words in context of the whole of Chapter 5. Amos rings out God’s anger at the hypocrisy of the people, who sing beautiful songs in worship all the while they “trample on the poor and take from them levies of grain . . . and push aside the needy in the gate....”

In the Hebrew Scriptures justice and righteousness are found one with the other. “Righteousness” here refers to right relationship—relationship between you and others and between you and God—and “justice” to how those relationships are applied and upheld. The justice and righteousness of God. God who is love. God who overflows with loving-kindness. Justice and righteousness rolling down as a living, vibrant river, bringing mutual respect. Each person being a person of honor and dignity and treating others with the same. All others. Seeing the good in others. Working together in society to create a good and trustworthy society. Living with humility and compassion, generosity of spirit, forgiveness, reconciliation, gracious love.

Which ain’t easy. It’s far easier to trample and take.

But it is God’s reign breaking in and God’s ability through the Holy Spirit working in you and me to bring it about, to create goodness and grace for all.

See you Sunday.