The Day is Coming
Most of us listening to the reading from Malachi today must admit, we are comfortable, we are not worried from where our next meal will come from, we have warm clothing, places to live. The prophet Malachi is speaking to people who live in fear. They are oppressed by first one kingdom and then another. The kings are not concerned about the people so many do not have clothing, food, or shelter.
Imagine you are one of these people. Now when Malachi says: Lo, the day is coming, blazing like an oven, when all the proud and all evildoers will be stubble, and the day that is coming will set them on fire, leaving them neither root nor branch, says the LORD of hosts. Then this sounds like good news.
It sounds better than good because it means all of those who are oppressive or are cruel will be burned up like chaff. In the day when Malachi lived this is great news. When we listen to the words how does it make you feel. Excited? Or did you take a step back to consider how other people judge you?
Readings from the Bible are just as important today as they were two thousand years ago. Why? Because they speak the truth.
In our world today we have technology that is supposed to help us. We can order online, we communicate socially, and we educate our children and ourselves much easier and quicker. But with all these good things there is evil hidden in this new technology. Let me give you an example.
Lately I have been receiving text messages and emails telling me a package could not be delivered. I think to myself ‘but I did not order anything’. They have the wrong person. As a good person I want to inform them they have the wrong person.
When I contact them, I find out they have evil intentions. They want me to pay them, or they will charge me because it is in my name. Even if I didn’t order anything. This is known as a scam. These people are evil people. They are not truthful. And even worse they keep trying to steal from me through other messages.
Now I get text messages saying I can win a microwave because I have been so loyal from buying from their company. I look at the name of the company and realize I have never been in their company or their store. Again, a lie, not the truth. All these tricks are used over and over. And the people who perpetrate these falsehoods need to keep changing, getting better at lying because they are not telling the truth. They are trying to steal from you, hurt you, take advantage of you.
Now consider the Bible. It has not changed for two thousand years. Why? Because it teaches only the truth. The Church is made up of sinners, but we know we are guided by the Holy Spirit. We will be forgiven. Not so those who choose evil ways. The good news is still good news.
May the Lord bless you in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen