(Please read this Scripture passage first, before the homily.)
The Lord summoned his people to trial. The mountains and the hill would act as jury. The charge would be gross neglect of the Lord. The Lord had rescued his people from slavery, but they had revolted against the Lord. The Lord wanted obedience, but they gave him meaningless sacrifices and extravagant religious ceremonies.
God is not the God of extravagance. When appeared to Elijah on the mountain, there was tornado, but God was not in the mighty wind; there was earthquake, but God was not in the huge falling rocks; there was fire, but God was not in the fierce flame. When Elijah heard the smallest whisper of a sound, he knew that God was present.
What did the Lord want? The Lord is not a God of extravagance. The Lord wanted only that the people love right and goodness, walking in wisdom and humility before the Lord. Was that too much to ask? This reproach we have sometimes used on Good Friday as we reflected on the events leading up the death of the Lord Jesus. This passage has inspired much anti-Jewish sentiment among Christians. It should not have done this.
Look at it another way. The Lord is calling us to judgment. It is not the people of some ancient time or place that is on trial. We are on trial. We have been delivered from slavery. We have been led through dangers to safety. We have experienced the goodness of the Lord.
What is baptism, if not deliverance from sin? What is baptism if not adoption into God’s family and the gift of living with the lifeblood of God is us? What is baptism if not the gift of the Holy Spirit?
How, then, have we used these gifts? How have we shown our gratitude to God for all God has done for us?
No, it is not in extravagant rituals that we show gratitude. It is not in epic accomplishments for God that we show our gratitude to God. It is only in one simple, lowly way that we show our gratitude to God. In doing the ordinary things of life and in doing them well, we show our gratitude to God.
What does God say in this reading from Micah? “Only do the right and love goodness by walking in wisdom and humility with God.
We have sinned. We are liable to judgment. We are on trial for our life. If we believe in the work of our baptism that God has given us, then we have to live the Christ that we are. It is not in doing great things, but in being Christ that God has made us and has called us to be. Do right, love goodness and walk in wisdom and humility with our God.