Again, today's first reading, Habakkuk 1: 12-2:4, is applicable to what is happening in the world of today. Habakkuk is complaining to the Lord concerning the evil that exists in the world of his day. He says to the Lord, God: "Are you not from eternity, Lord, my holy God, immortal? O Lord, you have marked [evil men/women] for judgment, O Rock, you have readied [them] for punishment! Too pure are your eyes to look upon evil, and the sight of misery you cannot endure. Why, then, do you gaze on the faithless in silence while the wicked man devours one more just than himself?"
Habakkuk's complaint is as true now as in his day. Evil men and women "devour" others more just than themselves; they are, therefore, marked for judgment--God's judgment. The psalmist, in today's responsorial psalm, Psalm 9, reminds that "[t]he Lord sits enthroned forever; he has set up his throne for judgment. He judges the world with justice; he governs; the people with equity," so unlike humankind's way of judging and governing. Also, as Habakukk emphasizes: God's eyes are "too pure...to look upon evil." This is as true today as then."The sight of misery [God] cannot endure" today any more than in days of old. The day of judgment will come. God will intervene in God's time and bring justice to this world, creating a new earth and a new heaven where justice will reign and evil will be no more!
Regarding Habakkuk's complaint, God responds as follows: Write down the vision clearly upon the tablets, so that one can read it readily. For the vision still has its time, presses on to fulfillment, and will not disappoint; if it delays, wait for it, it will surely come, it will not be late. The rash man/[woman] has no integrity; but the just [person], because of his [her] faith, shall live." That promise will be fulfilled! I believe that! What about you?
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