For more commentary on this week's readings, see the Reflections on the Lectionary page, which includes Epperly's current Living by the Word column as well as past magazine and blog content. For full-text access to all articles, subscribe to the Century.

 

The passage from Micah raises some important theological questions related to God's revelation. Micah is clear that focusing solely on our well-being and declaring war on the poor will lead to a cessation of revelation and vision. Does Micah mean that God withholds God's revelation, thus plunging the spiritual leaders into darkness? Or does our failure to attend to the poor create a situation in which we limit God's ability to inspire us? In one case, God is the sole actor. God responds to our behavior with decisive action. In the other case, our behaviors create a situation in which God cannot be as fully present as God desires. God is still present in our lives but is thwarted to some extent by our turning away.