18 July 2022

‘O my people, what have I done to you?
In what have I wearied you? Answer me!
For I brought you up from the land of Egypt,
and redeemed you from the house of slavery;
and I sent before you Moses,
Aaron, and Miriam.

From Micah 6:1-4,6-8, NRSV

The line “O my people, what have I done to you?” may be familiar from its use as a “reproach” during the Good Friday Liturgy. Through the prophet Micah, the Lord challenges Israel to account for their failures to observe their part in the covenant. Micah begins by reminding the people of all that has been done and given to them. He goes on to make clear that the sacrifices and gifts that have been offered by the people have not been sufficient. Their offerings have not come from the heart but have merely been done for show. What God wants from his people is not external acts but a genuine, heartfelt conversion which will be shown through the justice and tenderness of their actions towards others and their humble love of God.

• • Why do you suppose the people of Israel had wandered so far from what God wanted of them?
  • How can we be true to what God wants of us?

Pray today for the guidance you need to “act justly, love tenderly and walk humbly with God”.