Homily for the 4th Sunday of Epiphay, cycle A: 2011

Do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with God! Micah has given us what became a classic expression of the Christian Life.

As a Prophet he was a fearless champion of the oppressed and exploited. The scene for today's reading is a lawcourt. The ungodly are told: “plead your case.” Israel is on trial for contravening the Covenant established through Moses. After God makes his case, Israel responds as the defendant; pleading that God allows them to make an amends for our infidelity. At the end, it is a bit unclear if God or Micah speaks. Nevertheless, the message is very clear: God requires internal conversion and a proper spiritual attitude. What God expects of the godly is to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly in the ways of God.

In today’s snippet from the fist letter to the Corinthians, Paul expresses the irony of Christian Belief. The Cross (death of Christ and his resurrection) is a counter sign to some, foolishness to others and a scandal in Jesus’ own day. Yet, it was the single most powerful act of God’s self gift to humanity. Also the single most powerful act of Divine salivation offered to humanity.

Earlier, as we heard last week, Paul has decried divisions in the church at Corinth; he now recognizes two groups of humans: the “wise” and “those who believe.” He is making the point one cannot “know God through wisdom,” i.e. in a philosophical way. Knowing God is experiential and manifests itself in belief.

Our gospel today is the part of the Sermon on the Mount known as the Beatitudes. Jesus ascends a mountain in Galilee where he speaks to his, his followers. He speaks of the new era he has come to initiate and articulates the ideals embodied by God’s people.

Thucydides (the ancient Greek historian) is credited with saying: “Justice will not come to Athens until those who are not injured are as indignant as those who are injured.” The form of mercy (which is caring about others) is at the core of his reflection. It is also the counter balance to the justice spoken of by Micah. Justice or fairness is a notion that we are familiar with and it is a virtue to which God calls us. It also needs the counter balanced of mercy. Mercy, clemency or compassionate treatment is an idea that we use less often, but it is core to the Christian way. Walking humbly with God, is another matter. It means to be a person of faith and virtue, who is not overly bold or too proud. Rolled together, we have a goal to strive for in our personal Christian walk through this world. My sisters and brothers, let us be refreshed and rededicated to: doing justice, loving mercy and walking humbly with God!