Today’s first reading from the prophet Amos clearly warns the people of his day about impending judgment on their unjust behavior. Their fixation upon personal gain displays not only greed, but also disdain for others.  They were not doing well by doing good; but aggressively taking advantage of others.  They reflect the pursuit of self-love, not the love of God, who desires mercy over sacrifice and care for the weak.
 
Serving the god of self-love is common in our times, too. We regularly see self-love adherents bragging about their successes.  It can seem like you are missing out for not joining their merry band and living according to their self-love terms.  But do not be deceived.  A day of reckoning is coming.  We cannot live by bread alone – by material gains and all the fleshly comforts they can bring.  We need God in our lives and the collective experiences of life together in the Church in order to truly flourish.

Christian people need to remind one another of this truth.  Apart from the strength, guidance, and encouragement that comes from the Church and our fellow pilgrims who are on the journey with us, we are prone to follow the god of self-love.  If we are serious about flourishing, we need to commit to regular fellowship and participation in the sacraments, which illuminate the reality of God and his love and mercy for us, as well as our need for God’s love and mercy.   

In today’s gospel, we witness the call given to Matthew.  One of my tax students gave me a small icon of St. Matthew, which I keep on a keychain in my pocket.  Matthew is such a witness to the power to change our minds. We don’t have to keep living in the same way.  Change is possible!  And his encounter with Jesus made it so.  I know that accompaniment is often discussed in our day, but Jesus showed that accompaniment led to repentance, not just affirmation so that Matthew could continue a way of living that did not create human flourishing for himself or those around him.