In today’s first reading, Malachi 3: 1-4, 23-24, the Lord
God says to us: Lo, I will send you
Elijah, the prophet, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and terrible
day, to turn the hearts of the fathers[mothers] to their children and the hearts of the
children to their fathers/[mothers].” Is
it possible that the Lord says this because the root of anger, hostility, and animosity
is a father’s/a mother’s rejection and indifference towards the children, a
parents’ abuse of their children and one another with harsh, loveless words? Is that why Malachi says that the Lord sends
prophets “to turn the hearts of the father/mother to their children, and the hearts
of the children to their fathers/mothers” and, I would say, to one another? And, in fact, is God saying that divisions,
animosities, hostilities must give way to unity, respect, humility, love,
mercy, understanding and forgiveness, starting with a father’s/a mother’s attitude
towards children and toward one another; that parents’ authority over children is
not to be abusive, oppressive, and/or frightening?
As our models, we can, I believe, take to heart the example
of the holy family!
These are my thoughts as I reflect upon Malachi 3: 1-4,
23-24. What are yours? To what is God calling you?
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