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.
Historian differ about the meaning of today's text from 2 Kings. Jerusalem was a city like any other, with many non-natives who had come as merchants, traders, entrepreneurs, and migrants. Many worshiped the God of Israel but not all, and they generally agreed to respect their religious diversity. The reforming King Josiah won the approval of those prophets who were faithful to the Lord (YHWH) and opposed to the priests and prophets of Baal.
His reforms were based on a recently rediscovered text which may have been the Book of Deuteronomy. Or perhaps, the text had been recently amassed from earlier writings and edited, and was then promoted as the long-lost Law of Moses. In either case, the time was ripe for a return to the true faith of God's Holy City. No religion can avoid misunderstandings of its traditions and misinterpretations of its sacred rituals; any religion worth its salt needs an occasional return to its roots.
I have seen more than a few reforms sweep through the Catholic and Protestant religions in my own lifetime. The first set followed the Second Vatican Council, an event which will probably be regarded by future historians as one of two or three greatest reforms in Church history. It has been followed by lesser movements like the Charismatic renewal, Cursillistas, Marriage Encounter, Teens Encounter Christ, and so forth. There are the efforts of Pope Francis's synodality and the renewed devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. The Protestant world is in continual upheaval; some are calling our time another "Great Awakening." Beyond the Catholic Church are movements like Alcoholics Anonymous and its innumerable Twelve Step imitators; and the alarm caused by extinctions and the deterioration of the Earth's habitable climate.
We must always repent because our sins and sinful tendencies are persistent if not genetic. And God's mercy is also persistent. His Spirit shows itself both in the reforms and the reactions they meet. The Holy Spirit is rightly compared to breath, and when we stop breathing we die. Nor will any reform wait until someone dies; you and I must be challenged like everyone else, regardless of our grey hairs.
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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.