The Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to His Temple

Mal. 3:1-4.23-24, Lk. 1:57-66. The events surrounding the birth of John the Baptist as recorded in today's Gospel presents him as the messenger, promised in today's first reading, whose task was to prepare the way so that “the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple.” In other words, John was the messenger of the covenant, now offered to us, in the person of Jesus in whom we delight. John is honoured in the Gospels, for his service of preparing hearts and minds to receive the message of Jesus. The Gospel of Luke, highlights how John was received with joy, as a great gift not just to his parents and relatives, but to the entire human race. A spirit of joyfulness and praise runs through the story surrounding the birth of John. The neighbours and relatives saw this as a “great favour and blessing from God.”

Even at birth John was an instrument of God’s blessing to people. No wonder people marvelled: “who this child will be?” His name revealed his mission: ‘God is gracious’, and he lived true to his name from the outset and prepared a people to encounter the graciousness of God. John knew that he was called to be light. In other words, to be good and to model the Messiah that was eagerly awaited. We also participate in the mission of John the Baptist in communicating God’s grace and goodness through, with and in us. Today, we are challenged to allow the Lord whom he proclaimed enter our lives, homes and world.

May the Lord increase our faith in a world weighed down by unbelief and may we be models of the graciousness of God like John the Baptist! Amen!! Good morning, It is well with you!!!