Thursday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time
(Malachi 3:13-20b; Luke 11:5-13)
Malachi is the Bible’s last prophetic book. The word means “my messenger,” and it is
presumed not to be anyone’s name. Probably
the author wanted to keep his identity unknown because of the stinging
criticism he makes of Jewish society. The
first part of today’s reading demonstrates the author’s witness of the people’s
arrogance. He accuses the people of
testifying that it is useless to serve God and that the proud, not the holy or
just, are blessed.
But Malachi does not portray the people as completely hopeless. Some still fear the Lord and trust that He
will come to their aid. The last section
of the reading foresees “the day of the Lord” when the just will be
vindicated. It anticipates the wicked being
burned like brush in a wildfire while the just will bask in the Lord’s victory.
Although not evident to all, the day of the Lord has
arrived. Jesus’ death and resurrection serve
to mark a new era of righteousness and glory.
In their wake we have new criteria, the Gospel, to judge good and
evil. We also have the saints who,
boosted by the Lord’s grace, have demonstrated the new righteousness.
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