Malachi’s Oracle
Our First Reading is from the Book of Malachi. In Hebrew, Malachi means ‘My Messenger’. Many scholars think that this is the title of the book rather than the name of the author. The first verse states, “The oracle of the word of the LORD to Israel by his messenger (Malachi)” (Mal. 1:1). The author of this book was the last of the literary Prophets in the Old Testament. He lived around 500 BC and gave oracles about the coming of the Messiah to the people of Israel.
During his time, the second temple was rebuilt, and business was as usual. However, the leaders and the priests abused their power and authority. As a result, corruption was rampant, divorces became a common trend, exploitation of the poor and moral decadence became the norm of the time. At this time, the messenger of God (Malachi), as an attorney of God, accused the leaders of their sins against God’s covenant and against God’s people.
In the Book, ‘Malachi’ systematically writes down six major violations against God, popularly known as six disputations. Today’s reading is part of the second disputation and its consequence against the religious leaders. The major sin of the priests was their disregard to the Word of the Lord; they perverted the Word of the Lord by giving their own interpretation and ideas. Thus, instead of becoming spiritual guides to the people, they allowed the people to stray from the right path.
‘Malachi’ insisted on the importance of remaining truthful and faithful to the Covenant of God which was made through Abraham. His call for a return to God in repentance, preached comfort in becoming God’s possession. He prophesied about the coming of the Messiah by asking his people to be watchful about the arrival of Elijah as a harbinger – “Now I am sending to you Elijah the prophet, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and terrible day; He will turn the heart of fathers to their sons, and the heart of sons to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with utter destruction” (Mal. 3:23-24).
In the Gospel, Jesus shows His discontent with the way the Pharisees run the religion. He says that they have usurped the seat of Moses without any mandate from God, which rightfully belonged to a prophet. Since Jesus is the prophet par excellence, it is His rightful place. Though Jesus constantly criticizes the doctrine of the Pharisees, He asks his listeners to practice only the good they preach and not follow their example of a power grab.
Here, we are invited to listen to the one who has the authority and is the perfect model for all of us. As prophesied by Malachi, Jesus Christ is our ultimate comfort and our salvation.
–Fr. Ranjan D’Sa OCD