Today’s Catholic Reflection
Amaziah, the priest of Bethel, told King Jeroboam about Amos. He claimed that Amos was speaking against the king and the nation. Amaziah ordered Amos to leave and preach elsewhere, saying that Bethel was the king's sanctuary. Amos replied that he was not a professional prophet. He was a shepherd called by the Lord to share His message. He warned Amaziah of the doom coming for Israel and personal tragedies that would befall him.
In the Gospel, Jesus returned to His hometown. People brought a paralytic on a stretcher to Him. Seeing their faith, Jesus forgave the man's sins. This caused some scribes to accuse Him of blasphemy. Jesus challenged their thoughts and showed His authority to forgive sins. He commanded the paralytic to rise and walk. The man obeyed, and the crowd was amazed, praising God for the authority given to Jesus.