THE WORD BECAME FLESH

Monday of week 16 in Ordinary time, 2022

Mic 6:1-4. 6-8

Ps 50

Matt 12:38-42

What have I done to you?

Dear friends in Christ, in our relationship with the people around us, particularly those who are friends and relations, there is a level of trust that is exercised. The worst thing that could happen in such a situation, is to find out that you have been led astray or betrayed by the person you trust or love. To get stabbed in the back by a trusted person is usually a difficult thing to deal with. At such a moment, there is the cry of anguish and disappointment— what have I done to you? What have I done to deserve this?

Our first reading today is from the prophet Micah (6:1-4. 6-8). In it, we hear the cry of anguish in the voice of the prophet, but it is the Lord who speaks. It comes in a tone of disappointment and accusation of his people; pleading against Israel, “O my people, what have I done to you? In what have I wearied you? Answer me!” Perhaps till the time of the Prophet Micah, the greatest event in the history of the people was the Exodus from slavery in Egypt, which culminated in the Covenant. This covenant has been violated by the people. We hear this same accusation on Good Friday as the cry of anguish from Jesus, “My people, my people, what have I done to you?”

Rather than repent, the people were more interested in the show of sacrifices and offerings in the temple. They say, “With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old! Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?” The people are willing to have penitential ceremonies and sacrifices without a change of heart. They are willing to offer even human sacrifices, including their sons, but not a repentant heart. This is not the kind of worship God is looking for. No cult, no sacrifice however big or demanding can take the place of morality and obedience to the will of God. What God wants is a good person, with a repentant heart. The prophet exclaims: “He has shown to you, O man, what is good, and what the Lord does require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” Here lies the perfection of man that God is asking for: Amos preached justice; Hosea called for tender love; Isaiah preached, humble service. The teaching of these three great prophets sums up what true religion is before God. 

Are you willing to change your way and practice true justice, in tender love and humble service? 

Let us pray: Revive us O God our helper, put an end to your grievance against us. You delight in showing mercy, do not be angry with us forever. Amen. 

+Remain blessed