Monday of 13th Week in Ordinary Time, Year B: reflection

Theme: God will not spare those who oppress the poor and the needy

Reading: Amos 2:6–10,13–16

In today’s reading, it appears that the prophet of social justice, Amos, is directly addressing the people of our time, confronting some of the social evils plaguing our dear nation, Nigeria. In this reading, Amos lashed out at the rich people of his time who got richer at the expense of the poor people of their society, who stole from the poor and even sold the poor to remain rich.

What the wicked rich people of the time of Amos did could be said to be a child’s play when compared to what has, unfortunately, become the hobby of our politicians. It has become the hobby of the leaders of our nation to approve projects that only benefit themselves and their colleagues, to deprive workers of their just wages, and to inflict untold hardship on the people.

We live in a country where a president, who is quickly removing subsidies, thereby causing unimaginable inflation in the price of goods and services, and subjecting people to untold hardship and hunger, is unwilling to adjust the minimum wage of workers to reflect the economic reality he created. A country whose leaders, who want workers to believe there is no money to pay them just wages, are on daily basis embarking on millions of dollar projects that have nothing to add to the welfare of the people. Projects like the renovation of the vice president’s office with billions of Naira, purchasing of new and expensive SUVs for all the members of the National Assembly and for the office of the first lady, new jets for the President and his vice, billion-dollar coastal highway, and many more.

Amos warned that those who oppress the poor will face the retributive justice of God. That time, their strength will fail them and their riches will save them no more.

Happy New Month, dear friends.

May God direct and lead you this new month, and my His blessings be abundant in your life this month. Amen

Fr Isaac Chima