Daily Readings - Wed Dec 23 2020
Malachi
1Behold, I send my angel, and he will prepare the way before my face. And presently the Sovereign, whom you seek, and the angel of testimony, whom you desire, will arrive at his temple. Behold, he approaches, says the Lord of hosts2And who will be able to consider the day of his advent, and who will stand firm in order to see him? For he is like a refining fire, and like the fuller’s herb3And he will sit refining and cleansing the silver, and he will purge the sons of Levi, and he will gather them like gold and like silver, and they will offer sacrifices to the Lord in justice4And the sacrifice of Judah and of Jerusalem will please the Lord, just as in the days of past generations, and as in the ancient years
Luke
57Now the time for Elizabeth to give birth arrived, and she brought forth a son58And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had magnified his mercy with her, and so they congratulated her59And it happened that, on the eighth day, they arrived to circumcise the boy, and they called him by his father’s name, Zechariah60And in response, his mother said: "Not so. Instead, he shall be called John.61And they said to her, "But there is no one among your relatives who is called by that name.62Then they made signs to his father, as to what he wanted him to be called63And requesting a writing tablet, he wrote, saying: "His name is John." And they all wondered64Then, at once, his mouth was opened, and his tongue loosened, and he spoke, blessing God65And fear fell upon all of their neighbors. And all these words were made known throughout all the hill country of Judea66And all those who heard it stored it up in their heart, saying: "What do you think this boy will be?" And indeed, the hand of the Lord was with him
Sermon
In today's readings, we journey through the prophetic words of Malachi and the narrative of Luke, each offering insights into preparation and divine fulfillment. Malachi foretells the coming of a messenger who will purify and prepare the way for the Lord, using the imagery of fire to symbolize this transformation. This prophecy is fulfilled in Luke's account of John the Baptist, who embodies the spirit of Elijah, preparing the hearts of the people for the Messiah. The naming of John and the restoration of Zechariah's speech underscore the miraculous and divine nature of John's role.
The context of these readings reveals the anticipation of a savior. Malachi's prophecy, from the Old Testament, speaks to a people awaiting redemption, emphasizing the need for purification and righteousness. Luke's narrative, part of the New Testament's infancy stories, sets the stage for Jesus' arrival, highlighting John's role as the precursor who readies the people's hearts.
These readings connect through the theme of preparation and fulfillment. John, as the Elijah figure, bridges the Old and New Testaments, illustrating the continuity of God's plan. This connection invites us to reflect on our own preparation for encountering God, emphasizing the need for openness to God's will and messengers.
In our daily lives, this message calls us to purification and readiness. Just as John prepared the way, we are invited to clear our hearts and minds for God's presence. Trusting in God's plan, even when it seems unexpected, is crucial. The moral lesson here is one of preparation and trust, urging us to be open to God's transformative work in our lives, much like the refining fire described by Malachi.
May we, like John, embrace our role in preparing the way for the Lord, both in our personal journeys and in our communities, trusting in the divine plan that unfolds in our lives.