The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to expect transformation of our lives as we prepare to celebrate the Word made flesh.
The reading from the Prophet Malachi is a prophecy of the Coming Messenger.
* [3:23] Elijah: taken up in a whirlwind, according to 2 Kgs 2:11. Here his return seems to be foretold. A Jewish tradition interpreted this literally; the gospels saw Elijah in the person of John the Baptist (Mt 11:13–14; 17:10–13; Mk 9:9–13). (Malachi, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 25 is a prayer for Guidance and for Deliverance.
* [Psalm 25] A lament. Each verse begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Such acrostic Psalms are often a series of statements only loosely connected. The psalmist mixes ardent pleas (Ps 25:1–2, 16–22) with expressions of confidence in God who forgives and guides. (Psalms, PSALM 25 | USCCB, n.d.)
The Gospel of Luke proclaims the Birth of John the Baptist
* [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.
* [1:59] The practice of Palestinian Judaism at this time was to name the child at birth; moreover, though naming a male child after the father is not completely unknown, the usual practice was to name the child after the grandfather (see Lk 1:61). The naming of the child John and Zechariah’s recovery from his loss of speech should be understood as fulfilling the angel’s announcement to Zechariah in Lk 1:13, 20. (Luke, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB, n.d.)
Vivian Amu comments that as we prepare to welcome this season of hope and joy, let us embrace the transformative relationship with the divine and the beauty in God's plan and purpose for our lives. Let us embrace the transformative power of our names, purpose, stories, and voices. The readings invite us to evaluate our lives, cleanse our hearts, find grace in sharing our stories, speak our truth, and reflect on our values, especially those that point toward God.
As we approach Christmas, the readings today challenge us to engage actively in the spirit of the season, embrace the unknown, and awaken our voices. Maybe we could spend a few minutes thinking about places in our lives where we have been muted and our tongues tied. Could our own muteness stem from societal expectations, doubts, or fears? Maybe we could also spend a few minutes celebrating our identities in Christ and preparing our hearts to receive the profound joy that this season brings.
Faithful God, help us open our hearts to the lessons of Advent, inviting grace and preparation for the boundless joy that lies ahead, in the name of Jesus Christ, who is born in our lives every day, Amen. (Amu, n.d.)
Don Schwager quotes “The parallels between John and Jesus,” by Ephrem the Syrian (306-373 AD).
"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) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 1:57-66 comments that God was indeed gracious to John, the man who would become the “prophet of the Most High” and forerunner to the Messiah (Luke 1:76). No wonder John would go on to proclaim the message of God’s graciousness—his mercy and forgiveness and salvation—to all of Israel.
The graciousness that God showed throughout John’s life is meant for your life, too! It’s a graciousness that comes to you through Christ Jesus, whose birth you will celebrate in two days. Through him, you have received the grace of forgiveness and salvation, along with “the power to become children of God” (John 1:12).
So much grace! So much goodness flowing from the throne of God! May we all, like John, become “prophets of the Most High” who testify to God’s graciousness by our words, actions, and prayers!
“Lord, help me be a witness of your loving, gracious presence among us.” (Meditation on Luke 1:57-66, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments on the passage from Malachi that foretells a messenger to proclaim and purify as Elijah. This messenger is most frequently declared to be John the Baptist. Friar Jude reminds us that Zechariah had been punished for doubting his prayers before his speech returns to affirm the name of John or “God is merciful”.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces CAC staff member Mark Longhurst who invites us to expand our ideas about the meaning of Christmas.
Mary says, “Yes,” and in saying “Yes” becomes the mother not only of Christ, but of all who say, “Yes” to birthing God…. The same vital presence pulsing within Mary is the same vital presence arising in our hearts, is the same vital presence we desperately need to dream and enact a new future together. On such silent and holy nights, God the Mother initiates us as mothers, too. [4] (Rohr, n.d.)
We ponder the transformations that Christmas invites us to incorporate into our journey as we celebrate the Nativity.
References
Amu, V. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. OnlineMinistries. Retrieved December 23, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/122324.html
Luke, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 23, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/1?57
Malachi, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 23, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/malachi/3?1
Meditation on Luke 1:57-66. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved December 23, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/12/23/1157325/
Psalms, PSALM 25 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 23, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/25?4
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Making Room for God’s Presence. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved December 23, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/making-room-for-gods-presence/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). What Then Will This Child Be? Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved December 23, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=dec23
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