UNLIKELY POPE SOUNDS THE ALARM ABOUT AI
In 2025, the Catholic church chose a new pope: Robert Francis Prevost, who was born in Chicago. His selection at the time was a huge surprise. After all, outside observers long suspected there would never be an American at the head of the Catholic church, since the US already holds outsized political power and influence. But despite coming from an unexpected place, Pope Leo XIV was chosen as spiritual leader for all Catholics. Recently he released a message about all the potential harms of AI. Ironically, the first pope from the US is expressing grave concern about the direction of US technology companies. He writes, “How can we ensure that the development of artificial intelligence truly serves the common good and is not just used to accumulate wealth and power in the hands of a few?”

UNLIKELY PROPHET SOUNDS THE ALARM ABOUT ISRAEL
Even though Amos comes from Judah, God sends a message to him about the northern kingdom of Israel. Israel has rejected prophets and prevented people from fulfilling priestly vows. In the middle of his prophetic ministry, he is proclaiming a harsh judgment upon Israel’s king and priests. Like all prophetic messages of judgment, people who hear have an opportunity to repent or to flee. But a treacherous priest tries to warn the king about Amos. This opponent tells Amos to go back where he came from, back to Judah. So Amos retells the origin of his prophetic ministry: he does not come from a family of prophets; but he was simply called by God to go.

Questions

• Do you think that AI is good or bad for ordinary people, or both?
• When has someone you know become an “unexpected messenger”?
• Why is it so hard to accept criticism from others?