December 23, 2017

Mal 3: 1-4, 23-24

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. Yes, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts.

But who will endure the day of his coming? And who can stand when he appears? For he is like the refiner's fire, or like the fuller's lye. 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.

Lo, I will send you Elijah, the prophet, before the day of the LORD comes, the great and terrible day, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with doom.

New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.

Yes, He Is Coming!

It is Christmas weekend, with all the personal energy and family activity this involves. No doubt we will cram many “adventures” into the next 72 hours. As it all begins, take some time to ponder and savor the verses from psalm 25 which we pray at Mass today:

Your ways, O Lord, make known to me: teach me your paths.
Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my savior.
Good and upright is the Lord: thus he shows sinners the way.
He guides the humble to justice; he teaches the humble his way.
All the paths of the Lord are kindness and constancy
toward those who keep his covenant and his decrees.

—The Jesuit Prayer team 

Prayer

O Emmanuel, God’s presence among us, our King and our Judge:
Come and save us, O Lord our God.

—”O Antiphon” for December 23