Catholic Mass Readings and Reflection December 23, 2024
Fourth Week of Advent
23rd December 2024 (Monday)
Psalter: Week 4
Readings of the Day
First Reading: Malachi 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.
Psalm 25:4-5ab, 8-9, 10 and 14 (R. see Luke 21:28)
R/. Lift up your heads and see; your redemption is near at hand.
Gospel Acclamation
V/. Alleluia
R/. Alleluia
V/. O King of all nations and keystone of the Church: come and save man, whom you formed from the dust!
R/. Alleluia.
Gospel: Luke 1:57-66
When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her. When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child, they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, but his mother said in reply, “No. He will be called John.” But they answered her, “There is no one among your relatives who has this name.” 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.”
Daily Gospel Reflection
Monday – Fourth Week of Advent
Guidelines: The Lord has marvellous plans for us and our salvation. He specially chooses some to become powerful instruments in executing these plans.
1. The event of God’s incarnation is steadily and progressively unfolding. It is a beautiful embroidery with fine threads of annunciation, Joseph’s vision, visitation, Magnificat, the announcement of John the Baptist’s birth, and today his birth and naming.
2. All through these episodes, what is very evident is God’s marvelous and meticulous planning and execution. But it is all for our good. In this mega project, besides Joseph and Mary, John the Baptist has a vital role. That is why his birth is very significant and is narrated with many details.
3. He is unique in many ways – a child of old age; an issue that eliminates the disgrace of the barrenness of his mother; a cousin of the Saviour; filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb; one who was totally consecrated to the Lord and so “he must not drink wine or strong drink (as per the angel’s directive to Zechariah); and one with whom was the hand of the Lord.
4. In fact, all the words spoken about him to his father Zechariah in his vision (Luke 1. 20-25) fit exactly the picture of the messenger in the first reading from Malachi. He is the messenger sent by the Lord. He will prepare the way of the Lord. “He will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers”.
5. We too are called like John the Baptist to be the precursors of the Lord, to prepare the way of the Lord. But it is not a status, position, or dignity. It calls for a true imitation of him, to be filled with the Holy Spirit, to be totally consecrated to Him without any drink or vice, to speak and stand for God, and accomplish the mission of repentance and renewal.
Practice: It is not enough that we admire John the Baptist for his austerity, authenticity, and courage. We need to be charged with the same spirit