Reforming (phase 1), Existential Experience of the History of Salvation (step 4), session 7

This session's reading is Amos 2, 6-16. There isn't a particular verse that resonates with me, but this whole section on the transgressions of Israel follows shorter ones indicting Damascus, Gaza, Tyre, Edom, Ammon, Moab and Judah. The words against Israel are underscored in chapter 3 by the assertion that, of all nations, they should have known better given that the Lord had delivered them into the promised land so wondrously.

We're still referring to the existential experience rather than the personal one, so it is probably premature to align myself too closely with Israel in this. Perhaps it is better to see the pervasiveness of God's righteous judgment upon all peoples, and to realize that the salvation he has provided for us is the answer for all people, including me and including those I love.

I am a little nervous about entering into step 5, but that's next up.

I am noticing that beginning when I have and taking the sessions as I've been doing thus far has put me almost on track to now pick up with Step-by-Step's calendar approach to the Exercises. On the one hand, I really don't want to slow my momentum; it has been nice to use this as a daily meditation. On the other, I really see value in following the upcoming steps along with the calendar events that are associated with them. We'll see, maybe revisiting past sessions along the way may provide fresh insights already, allowing the Spirit to help me keep growing and not lose my focus on allowing God to work in me in this wise tradition.