Daily Readings - Mon Dec 23 2024
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 themes of preparation, purification, and the fulfillment of prophecy, weaving together the voices of Malachi and Luke to guide our spiritual reflection.
The first reading from Malachi paints a vivid picture of God's messenger preparing the way for the Sovereign, using the imagery of refining fire to symbolize spiritual purification. This messenger, identified as Elijah, is tasked with restoring family bonds, emphasizing reconciliation and the healing of relationships. This prophecy sets the stage for the arrival of one who will bring justice and righteousness.
In the Gospel of Luke, we witness the fulfillment of this prophecy through the birth of John the Baptist. The narrative highlights the miraculous events surrounding his naming, where Zechariah regains his speech and proclaims God's blessings. This moment not only fulfills Malachi's prophecy but also underscores John's role as the Elijah figure, preparing the way for Jesus. The awe of the people and the recognition of God's hand on John illustrate the significance of his mission.
Reflecting on these readings, we are reminded of the importance of preparing our hearts for the Lord's presence in our lives. Just as John turned hearts towards God, we are called to be instruments of reconciliation and purification. Our daily lives should mirror John's obedience and trust in God, even when circumstances are unexpected. Let us embrace the call to be bridges between tradition and innovation, fostering healing and unity in our families and communities. May we, like John, be open to God's will, serving as beacons of preparation and purification in a world awaiting redemption.