March 29, 2020, Malachi 2:1-9; 3:5-6 – Post 3 – ISSL Reflections

VI.
The words of Malachi we hear this week begin with a command to the priests, the religious leaders.

As we go on to hear the words preserved in Malachi 3 we hear,

Then I will draw near to you for judgment; I will be swift to bear witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against those who swear falsely, against those who oppress the hired workers in their wages, the widow and the orphan, against those who thrust aside the alien, and do not fear me, says the Lord of hosts.

For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, have not perished.

VII.
God’s covenant was described as a “…a covenant of life and well-being …this called for reverence … awe of my name.”

It seems Malachi wants us to associate reverence and awe with attitudes and behaviors that go far beyond what we might narrowly think of as religious and the trappings of religion.

Of the behaviors that come under judgement he mentions religious behaviors, sorcerers, and interpersonal behaviors such as adultery and lying, and then goes on to speak of oppressing workers, windows, orphans and aliens. It would seem the covenant with God has far reaching implications for us.

VIII.
This week I came across this quote from Oscar Romero shared on the 40th anniversary of his death. It seems Romero who was an Roman Catholic Archbishop might have been a prophet who stood alongside Malachi,

“For the church, the many abuses of human life, liberty, and dignity are a heartfelt suffering. The church, entrusted with the earth’s glory, believes that in each person is the Creator’s image and that everyone who tramples it offends God. As holy defender of God’s rights and of his images, the church must cry out”

Charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}


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