This is Cardinal Francis George, and I invite you to join me for the next few minutes to

reflect with Father Robert Barron on the Word of God, which is the Word on Fire.

Father Barron will challenge us to open our hearts to the Word on Fire, which is God's

Word of Love for each of us.

If our hearts are open, the Lord can change and transform us, who we might speak with love

about the one who is love.

The Archdiocese of Chicago through the generosity of Sacred Heart Parish and Winetka now presents

the Word on Fire.

Peace be with you.

Friends, our readings today are two of the strongest biblical statements that we have regarding

justice and the responsibility of the rich toward the poor.

The first one is taken from the remarkable book of the prophet Amos.

Not perhaps one of the better known prophets, not like Isaiah or Jeremiah, but Amos has

long been a favorite among those who work for justice.

In fact, Martin Luther King often cited the prophet Amos in his speeches, and we can see

why, just a cursory glance at anything that Amos wrote, you can see why people passionate

for justice loved him.

Listen to this quote now from the first reading.

As says the Lord, God of hosts, woe to the complacent in Zion, lying upon beds of ivory

stretched comfortably on their couches, they eat lambs taken from the flock and calves

from the stall while the poor languish.

Something I find really fascinating.

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