Amos 7:10-17 / Matthew 9:1-8
Whenever something unpleasant is said about us or when we get some criticisms, we will get defensive.
We will even want to deny that we are wrong and retort by saying something back in a sharp and angry manner.
But such quick reactions usually reflects that we are not ready to listen and think about whether there is any truth in what is said about us.
In the 1st reading, the reaction of Amaziah, the priest of Bethel, to what the prophet Amos said was that of denial and defensiveness.
The prophet Amos spoke of doom and disaster and Amaziah and the people want to hear nothing of it.
If only Amaziah and the people had thought about what was said by Amos and instead of reacting defensively and in denial, they would have averted the impending tragedy with repentance and contrition.
As what we heard in the gospel, Jesus came to forgive our sins so that we can repent and be healed of our sinfulness.
Let us ask the Lord for a humble and contrite heart so that we will be able to see the truth of the criticisms against us.