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From: Malachi 1:14b-2:2b, 8-10
Shortcomings of priests
[1] “And now, O priests, this command is for you. [2] If you will not listen, if you
will not lay it to heart to give glory to my name, says the LORD of hosts, then
I will send the curse upon you and I will curse your blessings.
[8] But you have turned aside from the way; you have caused many to stumble
by your instruction; you have corrupted the covenant of Levi, says the LORD of
hosts, [9] and so I make you despised and abased before all the people, inas-
much as you have not kept my ways but have shown partiality in your instruction.”
[10] Have we not all one father? Has not one God created us? Why then are we
faithless to one another, profaning the covenant of our fathers?
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Commentary:
The second part of the oracle (2:1-9) is an exhortation to priests. The prophet re-
proaches them for not honouring the Lord (2:1; cf. 1:6) and for causing many to
stumble “by your instruction” (2:8), or “by the Law” (which is another possible
translation), and moreover they have shown partiality (2:9): it all means that they
are breaking the covenant that the Lord made with Levi (2:4-5; cf. Deut 18-8; 33:
8-11). For their ministry to be effective (2:2-3), they should practise the virtues
that Levi had — fear of God, humility, sincerity in speech (2:5-6). This last aspect
is given special emphasis: a priest does not speak on his own behalf; he is the
Lord’s messenger (”mal’ak”), and his words should have the wisdom of the Law
(2:7). The Second Vatican Council says something that recalls this passage, on
the subject of the priest’s mission to preach: “The people of God are joined toge-
ther primarily by the word of the living God. And rightfully they expect this from
their priests. Since no one can be saved who does not first believe, priests, as
co-workers with their bishops, have the primary duty of proclaiming the Gospel
of God to all. In this way they fulfill the command of the Lord ... and [they] estab-
lish and build up the people of God” (”Presbyterorum ordinis”, 4).
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Source: “The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries”. Biblical text from the
Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries by members of
the Faculty of Theology, University of Navarre, Spain.
Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland, and
by Scepter Publishers in the United States.