Seek Good and Not Evil, That You May Live

The prophet Amos delivers one of the most challenging messages in the Old Testament: "Seek good and not evil, that you may live." These words are more than moral advice; they are God's invitation to a life of genuine communion with Him. True life is found not merely in avoiding evil but in actively choosing what is good, just, and pleasing to God. Amos speaks to a people who were faithful in outward religious practice but whose daily lives contradicted their worship. They offered sacrifices, celebrated feasts, and sang beautiful hymns, yet they ignored justice and oppressed the weak. God responds with striking words: "I hate, I spurn your feasts... Away with your noisy songs!" This is not because God despises worship, but because worship without righteousness becomes empty. God is never impressed by external displays of religion when our hearts remain far from Him. The Lord desires a faith that transforms the way we live. He longs for justice to "surge like water" and goodness to flow "like an unfailing stream." Every prayer, every Mass, every act of devotion should lead us to become more compassionate, more honest, more forgiving, and more committed to doing what is right. The authenticity of our worship is measured not only by what happens in church but also by how we treat others once we leave it. The Gospel presents a powerful example of the victory of good over evil. Jesus encounters two men whose lives have been destroyed by evil spirits. They are isolated, feared, and living among the tombs, a symbol of death and hopelessness. With one simple command, "Go then!" Jesus casts out the demons and restores their freedom. Evil has no authority before the Son of God. The reaction of the townspeople is surprising. Instead of rejoicing that two suffering men have been healed, they focus on the loss of their herd of swine and ask Jesus to leave their district. They value their possessions more than the restoration of human lives. Their response reminds us that it is possible to reject Christ whenever His presence threatens our comfort, our priorities, or our way of life. The theme of today's readings is a call to choose life by choosing goodness. Evil is not overcome merely by condemning it but by allowing Christ to reign in our hearts. When we seek justice, love mercy, speak the truth, forgive those who hurt us, and care for those in need, goodness begins to flow like an unfailing stream. May we never reduce our faith to religious rituals alone. Instead, let our worship be reflected in lives of integrity, compassion, and justice. Then, as Amos promises, "the Lord, the God of hosts, will be with you." There is no greater blessing than to live each day in the presence of the God who conquers every form of evil and leads us into the fullness of life.