Standing by the column, the king made a covenant before the LORD that they would follow him and observe his ordinances, statutes and decrees with their whole hearts and souls, thus reviving the terms of the covenant which were written in this book.
And all the people stood as participants in the covenant.
The Church has a long history of reforms, and historians tell us the Protestant Reformation, beginning in 1517, was neither the first nor the last. Reforms can come from the top but they're usually from the bottom. The Spirit selects a few people to generate a new idea, practice, or prayer; and their spontaneous initiative catches and spreads to other communities. It's an idea whose time has come; it responds to a need that has become apparent and demanding. Eventually, the small initiative may gather enough momentum to force the authorities to deal with it. Some, like first Friday (Sacred Heart) devotions and Mercy Sunday, will enjoy the sponsorship of the Pope for the universal church.
The Second Vatican Council initiated a long overdue reform from the top; it resembled the Fourth Lateran Council and the Council of Trent in that respect. In top down reforms, the pope with the bishops may recognize a lack of uniformity in the universal church as national churches go their own way, each unaware of and indifferent to other nations. Their differences may be caused by the wealth gap, by ideological isolation, or by cultural developments. Or there may be a widespread malaise which is masked by superficial enthusiasms. Their zeal is little more than nationalism. A top down reform calls the Church together again; we must remember and recognize the Sacraments which belong to all nations.
Pope Benedict, sharing the same discomfort of his predecessor Saint John Paul II, called for a top down "mini-reform" when he insisted that all the English speaking churches should read the same translation of the one Roman Missal, a Latin text. Seventeen different translations only confused the Church. If not everyone knows the meaning of consubstantial, they can learn it! He might have been remembering the Emperor Constantine's edict that all Christians must celebrate Easter as one congregation on the same day -- the first Sunday after the first full moon after the vernal equinox. Anyone anywhere can figure that out, unless they're on Mars.
Our first reading today recalls an Old Testament, top down reform when King Josiah (641-609 BCE) heard the words of the Law and recognized their authority. The history is complex and uncertain but the Bible indicates that David's descendants had promoted idolatry in Solomon's Temple. If these practices were a form of compromise to appease the pagan elements in Judah, they could neither please the Lord nor assure the city's long term security. When God's Holy City becomes a city like every other city, a salt without saltiness, it must be trampled underfoot.
We hear this story as a warning to keep the faith and be renewed each day by our study of God's Word. We are a people peculiarly God's own. Josiah apparently heard the Book of Deuteronomy, or a text that would inspire Deuteronomy. It is rich with blessings for those who keep the faith, and rife with threats for those who fail. "Choose life!" the Book urges, and we choose to live by God's Incarnate Word and the Spirit he breathes into us.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.