Prophet Malachi gives an interpretation of the action of the messenger of the covenant.Advent Light: John the Baptist, fierce priest and prophet https://t.co/008XrigQYe pic.twitter.com/x6RWqD58Dt— Aleteia (@AleteiaEN) December 23, 2017
[3:1] My messenger…before me: Mt 11:10 applies these words to John the Baptist; Mt 11:14 further identifies John as Elijah (see Mal 3:23). Some take God’s messenger in v. 1a to be a person distinct from “the lord” and “the messenger of the covenant” in v. 1b; others hold that they are one and the same person. Some consider “the lord” and “the messenger of the covenant” to be divine, while others hold that in the text’s literal sense he is a messianic earthly ruler.
John the Baptist is incorporated into the Covenant in the ritual surrounding his birth and circumcision as described in the Gospel of Luke.
[1:57–66] The birth and circumcision of John above all emphasize John’s incorporation into the people of Israel by the sign of the covenant (Gn 17:1–12). The narrative of John’s circumcision also prepares the way for the subsequent description of the circumcision of Jesus in Lk 2:21. At the beginning of his two-volume work Luke shows those who play crucial roles in the inauguration of Christianity to be wholly a part of the people of Israel. At the end of the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 21:20; 22:3; 23:6–9; 24:14–16; 26:2–8, 22–23) he will argue that Christianity is the direct descendant of Pharisaic Judaism.
Amy Hoover recommends spending time with the Lord today in prayer, to prepare for times we are called to speak out and be bold.
As we near the celebration of the birth of Jesus and spend time with the Lord today in prayer, I invite us to consider that sometimes we are called to speak out and be bold. But also remember, that simply how we live our lives can be prophetic as well.
John Moffatt SJ writes about Zechariah, Elizabeth and John concluding again and again that narrative of salvation for the whole people begins with the narrative of salvation for faithful, humble individuals.
But again and again that narrative of salvation for the whole people begins with the narrative of salvation for faithful, humble individuals.
Don Schwager quotes Ephrem the Syrian (306-373 AD) in making a comparison between John the Baptist and Jesus.
"The elderly Elizabeth gave birth to the last of the prophets, and Mary, a young girl, to the Lord of the angels. The daughter of Aaron gave birth to the voice in the desert (Isaiah 63:9), but the daughter of David to the strong God of the earth. The barren one gave birth to him who remits sins, but the Virgin gave birth to him who takes them away (John 1:29). Elizabeth gave birth to him who reconciled people through repentance, but Mary gave birth to him who purified the lands of uncleanness. The elder one lit a lamp in the house of Jacob, his father, for this lamp itself was John (John 5:35), while the younger one lit the Sun of Justice (Malachi 4:2) for all the nations. The angel announced to Zechariah, so that the slain one would proclaim the crucified one and that the hated one would proclaim the envied one. He who was to baptize with water would proclaim him who would baptize with fire and with the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:11). The light, which was not obscure, would proclaim the Sun of Justice. The one filled with the Spirit would proclaim concerning him who gives the Spirit. The priest calling with the trumpet would proclaim concerning the one who is to come at the sound of the trumpet at the end. The voice would proclaim concerning the Word, and the one who saw the dove would proclaim concerning him upon whom the dove rested, like the lightning before the thunder." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON TATIAN’S DIATESSARON 1.31)
Friar Jude Winkler provides background to Malachi using the person of Elijah as the messenger of the covenant. John the Baptist name “Yahweh is merciful” is a declaration to Zechariah and us of who his son is and what his responsibility will be.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, ties a summary on heaven to prayer as sitting in the silence.
When we put on a different mind, heaven takes care of itself. In fact, it begins now. If we resort too exclusively to verbal, wordy prayers, we’ll remain stuck in our rational, dualistic minds and will not experience deep change at the level of consciousness. Prayer is sitting in the silence until it silences us, choosing gratitude until we are grateful, and praising God until we ourselves are an act of praiseReferences
(n.d.). Malachi, chapter 3 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved December 23, 2017, from http://usccb.org/bible/scripture.cfm?bcv=47003014
(n.d.). Luke, chapter 1 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved December 23, 2017, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/luke/1:57
(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections .... Retrieved December 23, 2017, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
(2014, December 22). Jesus: Who Do You Think You Are? 5: Zechariah, Elizabeth and John .... Retrieved December 23, 2017, from http://www.thinkingfaith.org/articles/jesus-who-do-you-think-you-are-5-zechariah-elizabeth-and-john
(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved December 23, 2017, from http://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/
(n.d.). Heaven: Weekly Summary - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved December 23, 2017, from https://cac.org/heaven-weekly-summary-2017-12-23/
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