Amos and John the Baptist were called to speak out against the powerful of their day and against those who failed to uphold truth and justice. Amos saw the challenge to all: in the Gospel one part of John’s message had angered the local ruler who exercised the power of Rome. The people to whom Amos and John had directed their moral crusades thought they were answerable to no-one but themselves. John was crushed for daring to challenge Herod. Was he therefore a failure?

This week's news

This week’s news highlights situations in which people have not acknowledged a responsibility to act justly, and have acted as though they were above criticism. We might include in the list:

John Terry, the outstanding England and Chelsea footballer, in court for alleged racial abuse. We now discover he was apparently stung by an accusation of his wrongdoing with a the girlfriend of a team mate – shades of Herod’s illicit relationship, in marrying his brother’s wife. The Daily Mail has the most details but the story is continuing to unfold. It might appear that Terry’s footballing ability made him so indispensible to the Chelsea and England teams that he has been almost beyond criticism, and he tried to use his money to stifle rumours about his private life. But we have to wonder whether verbal abuse on the football field has become the norm when players think they are out of earshot.

The financial stories about fixing the Libor rate are less salacious, but reveal immoral conduct which no-one was able to check in 2008. Bankers made huge profits dishonestly at the time the country was financially on its knees through having to bail out Northern Rock, RBS and Halifax in particular. When the Deputy Governor of the Bank of England describes the Libor affair as ‘a cesspit’ he sounds like an Old Testament prophet.

People are moving their money out of these banks, no doubt as a sign of their disgust at the ways the banks have treated them.

Another piece of immoral conduct by a bank is that HBOS cheated Farepak savers by making the company accept cash when they knew a financial crash was in sight. They have robbed poor people who were trying to save up for Christmas.

The image of ‘setting a plumb line’ in Amos 7.7-8 is difficult to interpret in detail, but the image of a plumb line, marking a limit and setting a standard; a perfect right angle with the ground, provides a clear indication of God’s righteousness in contrast with the corruption of the people. Today this ‘plumb line’ is extended in front of the bankers, who had previously been assumed to be models of rectitude.

The Guardian also reveals the extent of lobbying by the finance industry, working behind the scenes to obtain a financial advantage, and undermining democracy.

The rape of the earth, and abandoning the poor, are charges made by Amos (Amos 2.7: 'they who trample the head of the poor into the dust of the earth, and push the afflicted out of the way'). John Monbiot has a piece which refers to the poet John Clare’s documentation of the evils of the enclosure acts.

Our respect for those in authority isn’t helped by the debate on the future of the House of Lords. See, for example, the Telegraph’s account.

Reflection

Alongside the stories which relate directly to the reading from Amos and the story of John the Baptist there are items of religious news. The disciples would have been wondering whether the Baptist’s mission had been a failure. There are interesting reflections everywhere on the theme of failure in the light of Andy Murray’s defeat by Roger Federer, including a good Thought for the day by John Bell on Monday.
The Times on Tuesday had a good leader on the subject, for those who subscribe.

But was this really failure? It was the best British men’s performance in more than a lifetime (the three score years and ten) and as The Times pointed out, Murray was the second best of 126 men who started out at the beginning of the competition. What is more, there was a great, and unexpected victory in the men’s doubles, and there have been world beating performances in the Tour de France by British athletes. It is all quite a warm up to the Olympic Games.

The ongoing conflict in Syria, and the huge numbers of people slaughtered, reveal a tyranny which is as fierce as that of Herod’s day, and in the same part of the world. Before this, even nations feel powerless to stop the killing. Are the Western nations failing the Syrian people, as the people of Kosovo were failed a generation ago?

Other religious news this week include views on the adjournment by the General Synod of the Church of England of the vote on women bishops. Thinking Anglicans has links to much of the comment.

Prayer

The Old Testament reading and Gospel have denunciations of wrongdoing in Amos, and the story of the Baptist, killed for speaking out against authority. There is much which resonates with the condemnation of wrongdoing today. But today’s psalm and epistle reading, in complete contrast to this mood, bring a vision of God’s peace and the healing it can provide in troubled situations. This prayer focuses on the peace which God’s Word contains for today.

We pray, Lord, may we heed your word today.
Listen to what the Lord God will say, for he shall speak peace to his people and to the faithful,
that they turn not again to folly.
Lord, may we heed your word today.

Mercy and truth are met together,
righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
Lord, may we heed your word today.

Truth shall spring up from the earth
and righteousness look down from heaven.
Lord, may we heed your word today.

God chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world
to be holy and blameless before him in love.
Lord, may we heed your word today.

He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ,
according to the good pleasure of his will.
Lord, may we heed your word today.

In him we have redemption through his blood,
the forgiveness of our trespasses.
Lord, may we heed your word today.

He has made known to us the mystery of his will,
according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ.
Lord, may we heed your word today.

In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance,
having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things.
Lord, may we heed your word today.

This is the pledge of our inheritance towards redemption as God’s own people,
to the praise of his glory.
Lord, may we heed your word today.

Amen.

Questions

• How do success and failure inform our future actions? What do we learn from each?
• For more than a lifetime we have celebrated the success of Wimbledon finalists without a British man in contention. Does this mean there is a real generosity of spirit in the Wimbledon crowd? What is the spirit of other crowds at sporting events? Does bad behaviour on the field lead to bad behaviour by the crowd?
• What can we do with our savings that will be ethical, moral, and that does not prop up institutions which have proved to be dishonest?

Action

Actions may arise from the questions above if they are not to be simply rhetorical. Are there ways to act on the results of a discussion or conversation, by the church if not by individuals? 

Young People

The John Terry case has highlighted the ‘industrial’ language used by footballers on the field. Should such language be justified? What do you think of winding someone up so that they will do something wrong in return?
Have a look at the Matt cartoon in Wednesday’s Daily Telegraph.
Does bad behaviour on the professional field affect the way we play sport?

Tom Ambrose lives in Cambridge.

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