Daily Readings - Sat Dec 23 2023
Malachi
1"See, I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come," says the LORD Almighty.2But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner's fire or a launderer's soap.3He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the LORD will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness,4and the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will be acceptable to the LORD, as in days gone by, as in former years.
Luke
57When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son.58Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy.59On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah,60but his mother spoke up and said, "No! He is to be called John."61They said to her, "There is no one among your relatives who has that name."62Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child.63He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone's astonishment he wrote, "His name is John."64Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue was loosed, and he began to speak, praising God.65The neighbors were all filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judea people were talking about all these things.66Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, "What then is this child going to be?" For the Lord's hand 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.