September 21, 2025
Revised Common Lectionary
Jeremiah 8:18-9:1 or Amos 8:4-7
Psalm 79:1-9 or Psalm 113
1 Timothy 2:1-7
Luke 16:1-13
Lectionary for Mass (RC)
Amos 8:4-7
Psalm 113:1-2, 4-6, 7-8 (see 1a, 7b)
1 Timothy 2:1-8
Luke 16:(1-9) 10-13
The following reflection is based primarily on the Hebrew Scripture text for today (Amos 8:4-7). For a reflection based on the Gospel parable of the dishonest servant, click here.
After reflecting on today’s reading from Amos, I wondered how the prophet might express his message today right here in North America:
Hear this, you who trample on the needy,
and bring to ruin the poor of the land,
saying, “When will this congressional recess be over
so that we can cut food assistance and health care for the poor
to make possible big tax cuts for the wealthy?
We will introduce onerous work requirements
and bury the elderly and sick in impossible paperwork
so that they won’t even bother applying for benefits.
Let us take advantage of our power
and stop wasting money
on food and medicine for other countries.
Let us make ourselves and our wealth
the measure of all things.”
The Lord has sworn by the pride of Jacob:
Surely I will never forget any of their deeds.
True, these are not the words of Amos—but they could be. The prophet Amos came on the scene in the eighth century BCE during a time of relative prosperity and security. Yet his words are biting and uncompromising as they attack comfortable assumptions of the wealthy and powerful.
In the original version of this passage, Amos is speaking on God’s behalf against concrete economic injustices—smaller measures, higher prices, and false scales. He harshly criticizes those who participate in a corrupt system which allowed the rich to grow richer on the backs of the poor and disadvantaged. He portrays them as impatiently waiting for holy days to end so that they can return to these oppressive practices.
The teachings of Jesus, especially in the Gospel of Luke, also take aim at those who place their trust in wealth and economic power. In today’s Gospel reading, he leaves no room for doubt: “You cannot serve God and wealth” (Lk 16:13).
The messages of Amos and Jesus cut deep in North American societies where there is so much economic injustice and where the rich exploit the poor. Nations and societies don’t become “great” through wealth or economic might, but rather by providing opportunities for all, caring for those in need, and attending to the well-being of every person. In a “great” society, there is enough for everyone, and no one is left behind.
This isn’t mere political commentary—it mirrors precisely what Amos condemned in his own time. Just as Amos was emboldened to speak on God’s behalf by naming unjust economic practices, so Christians today have the right and the responsibility to denounce laws and orders that deprive others of home, liberty, health care, or food assistance.
Jesus encourages us to be as clever as the dishonest servant in today’s Gospel reading in advancing God’s reign, where the last are first and the lowly are raised up. The prophet’s voice still echoes today – calling us not just to perform charitable works, but to challenge systems that create poverty and injustice in the first place. This week, will you serve someone in need? Will you call your representatives about policies that harm the vulnerable? The God who never forgets injustice is still speaking—through us.
A Hymn for Today: “Cuando el mundo padece tiranías / When the world is controlled by tyrants”
Joel Sierra is a professor, a musician, and pastor of a Baptist church in Monterrey, Mexico. In this hymn, the singing community reflects on how to respond in a world where there is so much injustice. That response is expressed in the refrain, “Que se escuche tu voz y no la mía” (May your voice be heard, not mine”). This is the song of a community that embraces its prophetic mission to speak on God’s behalf. Listen here.
Cuando el mundo padece tiranías,
aparatos de odio y de mentiras,
que los siervos de tu reino se mantengan
como ejemplo contrastante de servicio.
si en el mundo los jefes se agigantan
manejando sus deseos de poder,
que tu pueblo sea fiel a tu mensaje,
pues conquistas lavando nuestros pies.
Estribillo:
Que se escuche tu voz y no la mía.
Que los hermanos te adoren solo a ti.
Que yo mengüe y tú crezcas cada día,
que se escuche tu voz y no la mía.
Que las hermanas te adoren solo a ti.
Que yo mengüe y tú crezcas cada día,
que so postren rendidos a tus pies.
Que sea tienda al que llora y al que sufre,
y se busque al hermano en desamparo,
que encontremos tu rostro cada día,
y seamos instrumentos en tus manos.
Que tu Palabra en mis labios siempre abunde,
y abra caminos de paz en mis hermanos,
al aprender la humilidad y mansedumbre
de Jesús, el Pastor de los humanos. Estribillo
When the world is controlled by petty tyrants,
hate and lies pushing nations toward disaster,
may your servants called to lead look more like Jesus,
and less like an angry king or ruthless master.
In a world where the rich keep growing richer,
standing proud on acts of violence and deceit,
may we walk in the footsteps of our Savior,
when he knelt down and washed our dirty feet.
Refrain:
May the voice that they hear be ours no longer,
and may the only name we honor be your own.
May our fame now decrease and yours grow stronger;
may all people worship you and you alone.
May the voice that they hear by ours no longer,
and may the only name we honor be your own.
May our fame now decrease and yours grow stronger;
may all people bow down to you alone.
May we care for the suff’ring and despairing
and seek out all your people still in danger.
May our lives become your instruments of mercy
as we see the face of Jesus in the stranger.
May the roads that we walk be peace and justice
and the words that we speak be good and true,
as we learn from the Shepherd of all people
for his kind, humble service points to you. Refrain
Text: Joel Sierra, tr. David D. Bjorlin, © Joel Sierra, 2019. Used with permission.
Music: Joel Sierra
Image: William Barber at Moral Mondays Rally, Wikimedia Commons
“Word and Song: A Lectionary Reflection” is written by the Executive Director of The Hymn Society, Rev. Dr. Mike McMahon. For his full bio, click here and scroll down to the “staff” section.
To receive these weekly reflections by email, please send a message to office@thehymnsociety.org and type “Lectionary” in the subject line.