Thus says the Lord God: Lo I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me.
In the Broadway Musical, “Jesus Christ, Super Star” the song “Prepare ye” was used in many contemporary Liturgies ‘over the years. Not so much in recent memory. It was something modern and appealed to many young people. In our Gospel from Saint Luke, John was destined to be the messenger to prepare the way of the Lord. Zechariah, his father was given the name by the Angel. Elizabeth, his mother, knew that her child was special when her womb leaped for joy when a pregnant, Mary, entered her house.
We know John was a special child, because of the miracle of his birth and the circumstancelihahs of his birth. All who heard these things took them to heart, saying, “What, then, will this child be?” For surely the hand of the Lord was with him.
All these things were foretold by the prophets… a virgin birth, a messenger preparing the way… a covenant with the people of the Jewish faithful. All the prophets had predictions that came true in the life of Christ, Our Savior. John was only part of these predictions, but an important messenger for Christ.
Malachi adds an additional prophesy. Lo, I will send you Elijah, the prophet, Before the day of the Lord comes.
Why Elijah?
( 2Kings 2: 8-12 )Elijah took his mantle and rolled it up and struck the water; it divided and the two of them crossed over on dry ground. When they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, “Request whatever I might do for you, before I am taken from you.” Elisha answered, “May I receive a double portion of your spirit. He replied, “You have asked something that is not easy. Still, if you see me taken up from you, your wish will be granted; otherwise not.” As they walked on still conversing, a fiery chariot and fiery horses came between the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind, and Elisha saw it happen. He cried out, “My father! my father! Israel’s chariot and steeds!” Then saw him no longer.
Thus Elisha succeeded Elijah. Please note Elijah didn’t die. This is why the words of Malachi in our first reading were so important. They were expecting Elijah to come back. It was not John, the Baptist alone that showed that Jesus was the Christ.Elijah did come back at the Transfiguration. The witnesses were Peter, James and John, the apostles.
God does always answer us in the way we think He should answer us. We can never know the mind of God. Every prophesse was fulfilled but not in the way people expected. God has a way of surprising us all the time. He can surprise us today as well.
Our Communion antiphon has the words of Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, [then] I will enter his house and dine with him, and he with me.
This Christmas my wife, Anna, and I received two important gifts. We celebrated the birth of our 5th great grandchild and my wife’s cancer has stopped progressing. Wonderful News!
The real joy of the season is not the miracle of life or gifts. It is Jesus knocking at the door of our hearts. As we celebrate family and gathering this Christmas with big meals and Holiday traditions, make sure we honor the gift of Jesus and “dine” with him at our tables. A soldier my only have a meager ration but the real gift is Jesus coming through the door of our hearts.
God Love You Always
Bob Burford
PS: Please pray for Peace in the Ukraine. Also, pray for cancer victims and their caregivers.
