Mal 3:1-4: Notice how this passage begins with the words, “Behold I send my angel… to prepare the way before my face.” Ponder that the Hebrew word for angel, “Malaki” also means “messenger.” Thus, the prophet “Malachi” is, even by his name being recognized as a messenger of God. The “voice” or speaker in this passage can be interpreted as coming from the Lord; our Creator and Redeemer. The message is one of seriousness; suggesting that the Lord will come to cleanse us of our sins and faults; bringing about some uncomfortable and somewhat painful conversions. The outcome is a message of hope, for a people whom God plans to reform; making us more pure, holy and righteous. We must take care to realize that the “refining process” is for all of us… not just the clergy!
Psalm 24: “Who is this King of glory? It is the Lord!” After the first reading, announcing that we’re being prepared to meet the Lord and to be “spiritually cleansed” by Him, we’re now, in this psalm, marveling in the Lord’s actual Presence! When we’re told to “lift up your gates!” we’re being urged or even commanded to open ourselves to be receptive, submissive and eagerly welcoming to our God and to the Lord’s agenda for each one of us.
The words of the psalmist inspire us to ponder God’s omnipotent power. When we “open up our gates,” so that “the King of Glory shall enter in,” we’re, in reality, opening our souls and hearts. Jesus doesn’t force His way in. Our relationship with the Lord is voluntary, as is our acceptance of Salvation and redemption. Our loving relationship with God is reciprocal. We’re loving and being loved in a dialogue filled with grace!
Hebrews 2:14-18: Ponder that all throughout history, priests, prophets and other souls have prepared us to encounter and participate in a loving relationship with God. This relationship came about through no efforts or accomplishments of ours. Our Salvation and Redemption through Jesus’ Sacrifice of Himself on the Cross unbinds us from the eternal punishment that we deserve because of our sins. Our sins have separated us from God and made us liable to dying and eternal death.
However, as St. Paul is telling us in this passage, Jesus’ taking on human flesh and becoming “one of us;” albeit without sin, gives Him victory over the devil and his empire of death and eternal suffering. Let’s take time to ponder God’s love and faithfulness and mercy to us! Because of God’s boundless love, we can surely spend eternity just praising, worshiping and adoring God, forever! This eternity, to which we aspire will be emanating the Love, Joy and Peace that we long for!
Luke 2:22-40: Ponder that in today’s first reading and in the prophetic psalm, we’ve been given a vision of a loud, strong and hugely powerful God Whom we might choose to be wildly afraid of. Now, let yourself be soothed by the image that we’re looking at, now. This gentle, quiet God comes as a vulnerable baby… a newborn! Imagine! We can even hold our God! The powerful message today is to prepare for meeting our tender, gentle, compassionate and merciful Savior! Now, how can we prepare to meet Him? How about by our being loving, kind and merciful to others, ourselves!? Then, we’ll know, recognize, understand and relate to our God more meaningfully. Loving and serving others makes us familiar with God. Like Anna and Simeon, we’ll recognize Him!