Daily Readings - Sat Dec 23 2017
Malachi
1"Behold, I send my messenger and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts.2But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap.3He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the LORD.4Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the LORD as in the days of old and as in former years.
Luke
57Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son.58And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her.59And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child. And they would have called him Zechariah after his father,60but his mother answered, "No; he shall be called John."61And they said to her, "None of your relatives is called by this name."62And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he wanted him to be called.63And he asked for a writing tablet and wrote, "His name is John." And they all wondered.64And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God.65And fear came on all their neighbors. And all these things were talked about through all the hill country of Judea,66and all who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, "What then will this child be?" For the hand of the Lord was with him.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on purification, obedience, and the transformative power of God's will in our lives. In Malachi, we hear of a messenger who will refine and purify the people, preparing them for the Lord's arrival. This messenger, Elijah, is to restore harmony between generations, emphasizing the importance of right relationships and a humble heart. The Gospel then presents John the Baptist, whose birth signifies a new beginning. His naming, despite family traditions, highlights Zechariah and Elizabeth's obedience to God's plan, illustrating how surrendering to divine will can lead to profound spiritual renewal.
These readings connect through themes of preparation and transformation. Malachi sets the stage for a purifying messenger, while Luke shows John as the fulfillment of this prophecy, preparing the way for Jesus. Both emphasize the need for openness to God's plan and the importance of right relationships, whether within families or communities.
In our daily lives, these teachings encourage us to embrace purification and obedience. Just as John prepared the way for Jesus, we are called to clear our hearts and minds to receive God's grace. By fostering harmonious relationships and remaining open to God's will, we participate in His transformative work. Let us seek to be refined by God, allowing His light to shine through us, guiding others as John did, and trusting in His plan for our lives.