Prophetic Vision

Amos 5:10-14; 9:13-15  Hebrews 12:1-2

R. Charles Grant, D.Min,

Bon Air Presbyterian Church, Richmond, Virginia

            “From out of the confusion and turmoil of the chaotic world today, there comes one of the greatest challenges that has ever been faced by a nation or by a continent of nations.  In an hour when destruction is running rampant in many sections of the globe, the voice of democracy, symbolizing all that is fine and good, may be heard challenging America. Were we actually able to hear this challenge, it might sound similar to this:

             America, you have always enjoyed many blessings – life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.  Today you stand as the only strong power in all the world where my principles are still in force.  In this day in the trend toward dictatorships and the threat to my very existence elsewhere, I challenge you to protect me; I dare you to continue to exist as a democracy in the face of great obstacles.”

             On this Memorial Day weekend in a post 911 world, these words are timely and provocative.  As timely and provocative as they were when they were delivered by a 21 year old Bob Van Vleck, at his college commencement in 1940.  As a young man Bob was formulating his life-long vision for America as one nation under God, a country where its citizens drank from the wells of freedom and shared equally and fairly and justly in the bounty of a good and great land.  It is a vision needed as much now as then. It is a vision shaped by love of country.  And it is a vision grounded in the vision of the Biblical prophets.

             The prophet Amos voices judgement, challenge, and visionary hope. Judgement for those would oppress the weak and trample on the poor, those who refuse to share their bread with hungry, those whose only concern is for themselves.  For such actions, Amos says, God will judge you.  God will hold you accountable. You may not want to take responsibility for your own actions, but God holds you responsible.  So Amos delivers a word of judgment.

             Amos also throws down a challenge:  He says, “people, the day is coming when you indeed are going to have to answer for your harmful actions and callous inaction on behalf of the little people of this world.  Now, what are you going to do about it?”

             And thirdly, Amos offers a word of visionary hope.  Someday, Amos writes, God will restore his people.  Injustice will be crushed and replaced with justice.  Hunger will give way to bounty.  Hatred and enmity will be subsumed by love and compassion.  And on that day, justice WILL roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.

             Good words to hear, for sure.  But perhaps you wondering, “Why NOW and why this day do we talk about the vision of God’s blessed kingdom on earth?” On a personal level, one reason is that the vision of God’s beautiful kingdom on earth was a vision shared by Robert Van Vleck.  In his faith and life Bob anticipated a day when God’s vision for creation would be shared by all of God’s children who would recognize each other as brothers and sisters.

             But there is another, and even more important reason for speaking of God’s kingdom on earth on a day of mourning, and it is this:  in the midst of our mourning and grief, when the death of a loved one forces us to face our own death, it is easy to stumble and fall.  To give up.  To lose sight of the prize.  To fall victim to the cynicism of Ecclesiastes when he wrote, “all of life is vanity” – there is no meaning to life, only sadness and disappointment and brokeness.

             And it is at that precise moment – the moment of our discouragement and despair – that we need the vision of the prophet Amos.  The vision of a Robert Van Vleck.  The vision of the great cloud of witnesses.  The vision of all the saints who believed and lived with a faith that says, God’s good word will prevail!  Into our dark souls shines the light of the eternal hope we have through Jesus Christ the Lord. God’s good word will prevail! In the midst of our busy but empty lives we are called to authentic life and love for one another. God’s good word will prevail!  In a world that seems hopelessly entangled in war and disease, death and brokeness, we have a vision of a day, when by God’s grace and power, all men and women will do justice and love kindness and walk humbly with their God. For God’s good word will prevail!

             So today we give thanks for the life and witness of Bob Van Vleck and all the saints who from their labors rest.  We give thanks that Bob is at peace with our heavenly Father.  And we pray that God’s peace will permeate our lives.

             Now, Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.  AMEN.