Daily Readings - Sat Dec 23 2023
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
The readings today guide us through themes of preparation and divine intervention, inviting us to reflect on our spiritual readiness and openness to God's will. In Malachi, we hear of a messenger preparing the way for the Lord, a figure who will purify and refine, much like a refiner's fire. This messenger is Elijah, whose role is to restore harmony between generations, turning hearts back to God. The passage underscores the transformative power of God's presence, urging us to be prepared for His coming.
In Luke's Gospel, we witness the birth of John the Baptist, a pivotal moment as John is named against the expectations of those around him. This act of naming symbolizes obedience to God's will, as Zechariah, regaining his voice, acknowledges the divine plan. John's arrival signals the beginning of a new era, preparing the way for Jesus. This narrative highlights the importance of listening to God's voice and being open to His plan, even when it challenges our expectations.
Together, these readings remind us of the need for spiritual preparation and openness. As we go about our daily lives, we are called to create space for God, much like John prepared the way for Jesus. This involves reflecting on our actions, seeking justice, and nurturing a heart receptive to God's will. May we, like John, embody the spirit of preparation, turning our hearts to God and embracing His transformative grace.