BREAKING THE FAITH - A: 31st Sun in OrdTime

First Reading: Mal 1:14-2:2, 8-10 (5 Nov 2023)

“Have we not all one Father? Did not one God create us? Why, then, do we break faith with one another, profaning the covenant of our ancestors?” (Mal 2:10).

This passage is the New American Bible version of Mal 2:10, which uses the phrase “break faith with one another,” which is similarly expressed by the New Revised Standard Version with “faithless to one another”. These translations emphasize the severance of ties and trust between the parties concerned. However, they fail to account for the notion of malice and deceit behind each one’s actions that is etymologically contained in the original Hebrew verb bagad, which means “to deal treacherously with” (cf. HALOT). The word “treacherously” is often seen in many English biblical versions, viz., American Standard Version, English Standard Version, and New American Standard Version, among many.

Such a rendition implies the resolve of the stakeholders to harm each other because of their desire to lord over the other.

The idea of trickery is a fundamental motif in the Old Testament. We have, for example, the disguise of Jacob, pretending to be his brother Esau by wearing the latter’s garments and the skins of a young goat (cf. Gen 27:15-23); or that of Joseph when he acted as if he did not know his brothers when they had visited Egypt to look for grains (cf. Gen. 42:7); or the crazy actions of David as a madman to avoid being taken by Acish, the king of Gath(1 Sam 21:12-14). The same literary motif of “trickery” is expressed in the New Testament, where many false teachers would abound. St. Paul also noticed it, saying, “For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds” (2 Cor 11:13-15).

The context of the book of the prophet Malachi is the prophet’s mission to confront the corruption that has infiltrated all the facets of society. In particular, Malachi lambasted those cheating in their offerings and vows (Mal 1:14). He also reprimanded the priests for their corrupt ways, saying, “But you have turned aside from the way, and have caused many to stumble by your instruction; You have corrupted the covenant of Levi, says the Lord of hosts” (v. 8). Malachi’s primary concern is the preservation of God’s covenant by his people’s honest observance of his commandments. However, the contrary was happening after the Babylonian exile when the Judahites had begun observing occult rituals and made intermarriages with pagan partners (2:10-16); priests connived with worshippers by lightening their obligations to Yhwh and gaining for themselves more profit (2:1-9); and many lost hope on a bright tomorrow (cf. 3:14-15). The people’s sigh was: “All evildoers are good in the sight of the Lord, and he is pleased with them” (2:17).

Meanwhile, the one to be blamed is not God; it is humankind that has been treacherous to one another. Their faith in God was broken because of the corruption that abounds in human society. Their evil appetite to possess more wealth, power, and influence over others has shattered the hope of some few good people. Yet, this phenomenon can be addressed when we begin caring for each other and forgetting about our benefits and gains. Malachi gave us the reason for this: “Have we not all one Father? Did not one God create us?” (Mal 2:10).

May we begin treating one another as brothers and sisters from our common God and Father to stop this cycle of malice and corruption.

- Rex Fortes, CM