The first reading today comes from the last book of the Old Testament, at a time when the faith of Israel was at its lowest and even the priests, the sons of Levi, had become lazy in their observance of the Law. The prophet Malachi speaks for God to the people and foretells of the coming of the messenger of God, whose way will be prepared before Him and warns that few will endure His coming. He will purify the sons of Levi so that they can offer due sacrifice to the Lord and that sacrifice will be pleasing to the lord.
The descriptive words used to describe the one who is to come – he will be like fire that melts and purifies and like lye that bleaches the roughest cloth – are powerful images. And that purification will finally cause the people to make sacrifices that will lead to righteousness before the Lord.
In the second reading for this Sunday, from the letter to the Hebrews, we confront some of the stumbling blocks of our faith, mainly the humanity of Jesus and the suffering that He endured. Early Christians struggled with the idea of a savior that was human like us, suffered like us and died an earthly death, like us. Wouldn’t it have made more sense that our savior be impervious to injury and death and even conquer death and evil? The ways of God are not our ways. God relinquished his godliness in order to enter into our midst, as one of us, to be one with us, to share in our suffering, accepting an existence lower than the angels, as a man. The sacrifice of God to bring about salvation for mankind was and is great. Great healing cannot be obtained without great sacrifice and no sacrifice has or ever will be greater.
The Gospel according to Luke narrates the fulfillment of Malachi’s prophetic words concerning the coming of the messenger of God. It was customary for women to present themselves at the Temple for cleansing after childbirth, presenting a sin offering on their behalf – in this case two turtle doves, the offering of the poor, were presented by Mary and Joseph - and customary to present the first male child at the temple to praise God and consecrate that child to God.
Simeon, a holy man, looked upon the child and recognized him as the promise of God, the Light and Savior of the world. Anna, a prophetess, proclaimed him to be the Messiah for whom many have been waiting.
Every day as we struggle with our human and earthly concerns we can recognize within us a “waiting” for some kind of salvation, be it a release from harsh conditions and/or debt (sin and mercy), increased wealth to lift us further out of our financial struggles (blessings), easing of internal suffering of stress and anxiety (grace, peace), and rest for our tired bodies (the burden of the Lord is light; find comfort in the Lord; prayer).
Our light and our salvation have already come, but do we recognize that and embrace that as truth and trust in that knowledge? Do we know that the mercy of God is endless, and do we await that mercy with faith and greet it with thanksgiving? Do we relinquish our worldly concerns in favor of a higher, purer, more fulfilling and life giving purpose with and in God? Do we share the light and the salvation of our Messiah with the world so that they may join in the glory of salvation?
What does it mean to be a “light” to the people? It means you bring about a seeing and understanding of what is good and true; that you help to guide others into the light so that they may “see” where they are going. The Church uses light symbolically in our sacraments and in our worship. Candles are presented to the God parents/parents of newly baptized people and they promise to be the light in that person’s life that helps them remain in God’s presence. The altar has candles that symbolize the light of Christ, who lifted a great veil of darkness from over all the people to reveal the salvation truth and to reverence the sacrificial aspect of the altar. We keep a candle lit in the sanctuary by the tabernacle perpetually, with the exception of Good Friday, to recognize and honor the presence of Christ Jesus.
At the end of the Mass the priest, or deacon, proclaims, “The mass has ended; go forth in love to serve the Lord!” We have received the Word of God, we have partaken of the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus and now we take all that we have received spiritually and physically and cast it out upon the world, as a light, a beacon, of Hope and Love and Faith through and in all that we do!
The Psalm this week is Psalm 24: Who is This King of Glory? It Is The Lord!