Year A: 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time

 First Reading: Malachi 1: 14 - 2: 2, 8-10

The First Reading reflects the Gospel back into the Old Testament and finds a reading which emphasises the importance of good teaching - and the great responsibility placed on priests to pass on that good teaching.

Malachi has God speaking directly to the priests who have failed in this responsibility - who have destroyed the covenant between God and His people - and who have caused many to lose their way - to stumble and to fall.

They have abused their position of trust to show partiality in their dealings with people - in all likelihood favouring the rich and powerful at the expense of the poor and dependent.

And so, God makes them objects of contempt before the people - in effect, the people see through the hypocrisy and see the priests for what they are. They also see that it is not God or the covenant that is at fault. This is an important distinction. Often, when priests and others are found to be corrupt, there is a danger that people will tar religion with the same brush. Where this happens, the sin is all the greater.

However, God often does give a special grace to people of faith - one which people who lack faith cannot comprehend. They are able to see and name the sin - even to forgive the one who led them astray - but see that God is far beyond the failings of human beings - and that the God who created them has not abandoned them even when things seemed to be going very wrong.

Today’s reading reminds us that the same responsibility is placed on the shoulders of priests in our day.

What does it mean for me?

Have you been challenged by reports of priests who have failed in their calling? How do you help those who strive to be faithful to it?

Text © 2007 Wellspring

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