Amos 5: 14-15, 21-24; Psalm 50; Matthew 8: 28-34
While God speaks through Amos of how disgusting are feasts and offerings, in the last verse we hear what God does want, God’s desire: “Let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” Peace is flowing like a river! The psalmist points out that every piece of creation belongs to God. Jesus enters the country of the Gadarenes and meets two demoniacs. Jesus casts the demons into swine who then plunge into the sea. “Then the whole town came out to meet Jesus and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their neighborhood.”
Why would the whole town want Jesus gone? When do you beg Jesus to leave your neighborhood? If every creature is sacred to God, what kind of people do you want to leave your country? What would happen if justice rolled like a river through your neighborhood, your country? What do you want?
Peace is flowing out through you, Jesus, and us—flowing out into the desert (Sudan, Gaza, Afghanistan etc), setting all the captives free. Please, Jesus, do this!