Advent, 23rd December, Friday
Malachi 3:1-4, 23-24 / Luke 1:57-66
I will send my messenger; "He will prepare the way for me.”
The last book in the Old Testament is the book of the prophet Malachi. Speaking in God's name, Malachi says, “Lo, I will send you Elijah, the prophet” to prepare the way for the coming of the Lord. When ancient kings planned a visit to some outlying city in their kingdom, their first step was to send an “advance man" to the citizens of the city to instruct them in the proper protocol for receiving the king. Malachi says that Elijah will be the "advance man" of the Lord. He will prepare the way for the King of Kings to visit his people. Jesus identified John the Baptist as the Elijah spoken of by Malachi. (Mt 17:13)
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If our lives continue in the direction they're now going, how prepared will we be when the King of Kings comes in all his glory? “True repentance is to cease to sin.” St. Ambrose
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The narration of John’s birth describes the important role the community played in the lives of individuals. We are told that the people who came to share the joy of Elizabeth’s blessings were her neighbours and relations. But Elizabeth and Zechariah chose to depart from the naming tradition to move in the direction of what God instructed them–he was to be named John. In doing so these two strong people withstood the pressures of traditionalists to invite the community to become flexible. Often we are driven by social customs in decisions concerning marriage and other cultural compliances even when these are destructive. Do we have the courage to bypass these in favour of what God prompts us to do?
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Indeed, “God is gracious.” This is the meaning of the name John. We are told today about the birth of the forerunner of Jesus, John the Baptist. We remember the coming of the Savior and how a special messenger of God had to prepare the hearts of people for the coming of the Savior. But our Savior, Jesus, came long ago. How much are we living as people who are saved? How much do we enter into God’s plan to save our world? How much do we prepare Jesus’ coming into the hearts of people today?
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Our redemption is near at hand. Advent draws to a close; Christmas is two days away. In our scriptures today, the spirit of expectation runs high. Malachi speaks of the return of Elijah to prepare God’s people for the end, following which the Lord himself will repossess his temple. At the same time, the end is a mixed blessing. It will spell reconciliation and peace for some, as fathers and sons are reunited in a spirit of accord, while others will experience purification and refinement as the wheat is separated from the chaff, even among the priestly class. Though the grace-filled moment is offered to all, some will remain hard of heart and refuse to respond to that grace. The justice of God is a two-way street.
Elijah appears in the figure of John the Baptist. He is the forerunner of the Lord, preceding the latter’s arrival in the temple (cf. Luke 2:22-38). His name itself is God given, as Zechariah and Elizabeth affirm. The name signifies “God’s favor,” a clear allusion to what the birth of Jesus would mean for the world. The infancy narratives are replete with signs: Mary’s virginal conception, Elizabeth’s delayed pregnancy, Zechariah’s loss of speech. The signs rise to a crescendo in the birth at Bethlehem and its significance for the good of the world.
Conversion plays an important part in the Christmas message. Christmas for some people is like any other holiday, even though a bit more festive. Its true religious significance is largely lost. “Happy holidays” replaces “Merry Christmas.” Others find their way to church only at this time of year, though even this minimal spiritual participation hints that something is stirring in their hearts. For others, the time speaks volumes, identified with John’s name, God’s great favor. The words of Titus resound: “The grace of God has appeared” (Titus 2:11). Yet gratitude never wants to disparage anyone. A change of heart can come at any moment. And when it does Emmanuel will be there to help.
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Prayer
Lord, our God, in this time of waiting, you must still be waiting for us, how we respond to the coming of your Son Jesus in our hearts and in our world. Make us people of hope, not people of the past, but men and women, the young and the children too, who want to see Jesus, our Savior, alive and active among us. We ask you this through Christ, our Lord. Amen
