I don't like it when God gets angry with us

31 ^st Sunday in Ordinary Time
 
I don’t like it when God gets angry with us. I don’t like the words of the prophet Malachi today. It seems like an unfair battle between us puny mites and the great and all powerful God. “A great King am I, and my name will be feared among the nations.” God’s words are directed against the priests, so right now it would be prudent for me to hide under the table. “You have turned aside from the way and have caused many to falter by your instruction. I therefore have made you contemptible and base before all the people.” It doesn’t fit our idea of God that He could be so angry against any one of us. Yet, the loving Mom and Dad can show fits of anger against the children they love when it is deemed necessary. By contrast, Paul is all caring and kindness. “We were gentle among you, as a nursing mother cares for her children.” More specifically Jesus goes after the Scribes and Pharisees.  It is such an honor and privilege to serve the Lord in every way that we can. We are not to muck it up. We are not turn the work of God into something that benefits our own egos. Jesus is very blunt and very clear. “Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example.” As I write this I am wondering if I am that phony Pastor. “They preach but do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens on people’s shoulders but they will not lift a finger to move them. All their works are performed to be seen.” O, my God! Run Forrest! I hope to God I am not that. To be fair to all of us, we try but we don’t always succeed. We have good intention. We work with what we have got. We have good days and we have bad days. Yet, with all that is inadequate about us, God called us to do His work. We always remind ourselves how unworthy we are. When I ask people to help in the parish they give me the same excuse, “I don’t feel worthy.” Thanks… I guess the priests are doubly unworthy. Let God fashion us into the servants we must be. It is a great responsible to serve God. God expects a lot from us. We know that. Before all the works of God, let us be humble before it. This is God’s work. This is God’s vineyard. We are honored to be allowed to work in it. We remind ourselves every day that we are not the Landowner. We are God’s servants. Let every priest remind himself, you are merely servants. You are the lowest of the low. Well…?
With love, Fr. Pat