Greetings on this the Saturday of the Third Week of Advent
Readings: Mal 3:1-4, 23-24; Ps 25:4-5ab, 8-9, 10 and 14; Lk 1:57-66
Notes
Judaism considers Malachi to be the last of the biblical prophets (wiki) and so too the Christians. Among the final words of Malachi consider these two topics:
The Messenger of the Covenant (3:1–5).
The Messenger of the Covenant is John the Baptist and then it reads about another (Jesus) And the lord whom you seek will come suddenly to his temple; The messenger of the covenant whom you desire – see, he is coming! says the LORD of hosts. He will sit refining and purifying silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi, Refining them like gold or like silver that they may offer due sacrifice to the LORD. Then the sacrifice of Judah and Jerusalem will please the LORD, as in the days of old, as in years gone by.
Moses and Elijah (3:22–24).
Remember the law of Moses my servant, whom I charged at Horeb With statutes and ordinances for all Israel. Now I am sending to you Elijah the prophet, Before the day of the LORD comes, the great and terrible day; He will turn the heart of fathers to their sons, and the heart of sons to their fathers, Lest I come and strike the land with utter destruction. It is no coincidence that the Transfiguration is with Jesus in discussion with his friends, Moses and Elijah.
Silversmith
For Jesus comes to fulfill the law and to turn hearts toward one another.
He will sit refining and purifying silver. Refining them like gold or like silver that they may offer due sacrifice to the LORD.
Summary
Jesus comes to refine and purify. As a silversmith. A silversmith use a torch to heat the silver. Heating the silver burns away any impurities leaving pure silver. When does the silversmith know he has finished preparing the silver? When He can see his own image in the silver as if in a mirror.
The silver is not ready and pure until you can see the silversmith in the silver.
Reflection
Our greatest growth spiritually comes at the most trying times. Everything is in preparation for Joy and Victory. But there is the matter of the torch. The only purpose of any trial besides free will is the purification of a soul. The LORD, the silversmith, will use the torch most carefully to bring about the one outcome that matters. To see holiness and sanctification in you by seeing himself in you.
In our gospel portion today, nobody wanted John to be ‘John’. They challenged Elizabeth and they asked Zechariah what name to use (they were going to call him Zechariah after his father). No, he will be named John. This name, John, came from the Angel Gabriel. Gabriel knew John’s mission: He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of fathers toward children.
And so it is for us too. We have a name and mission. We have angels that protect us and the LORD who confirms us. Your name belongs to you. Your mission belongs to you. You don’t worry about how. The silversmith knows just what to do.
Personal Reflection
When I look in the mirror I see a tired old man. A sinner and one needing redemption. I don’t see John or Jesus. Just me. But I trust the refiner. I trust that at my life’s end, whenever that is, I/you/others can see the LORD’s image in my person. This would be a good death. In the meanwhile, ahem!, let us rejoice in all the LORD has done. His love is palpable through others for us. I see the silversmith working on others too. And I rejoice when I see him in them. Therefore, I know he is working in me and you.
First Reading
Thus says the Lord GOD: Lo, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me; And suddenly there will come to the temple the LORD whom you seek, And the messenger of the covenant whom you desire.
Responsorial
Lift up your heads and see; your redemption is near at hand.
Gospel Acclamation
O King of all nations and keystone of the Church: come and save man, whom you formed from the dust!
Gospel
When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth to a son. So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called. He asked for a tablet and wrote, “John is his name,” and all were amazed. Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God. Then fear came upon all their neighbors, and all these matters were discussed throughout the hill country of Judea. 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.”
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry