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Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Advent
Malachi 3:1-4, 23-24
Psalm 25 25:4-5AB, 8-9, 10 & 14
Luke 1:57-66
Summary
The readings for today understandably focus on the impending celebration of
the Incarnation at Christmas, just two days away. The responsorial psalm
succinctly expresses that thought: “… your redemption is near at hand.”
The response, however, opens with the exhortation consistently conveyed
through all three readings. “Lift up your heads and see.” God freely offers
us the grace of salvation though the Incarnation, Passion and Resurrection of
His Son. Our part in our redemption, however, is not passive. Each of the
readings explains our role and the effect upon us if we accept it. They retell
the spiritual cleansing that we should have undertaken during Advent and re-
mind us it is not too late to perform that purification.
Reflection
The first reading from Malachi opens with familiar language: that the Lord is
sending His messenger, the messenger we desire. But the reading goes on to
ask “who will endure the day of his coming… who can stand when he ap-
pears … For he is like the refiner’s fire…”
We should resist the impulse to consider these passages as just Old Testa-
ment fire and brimstone. This was not the belief of our Jewish ancestors in
faith. The responsorial psalm informs us, “All the paths of the LORD are
kindness and constancy toward those who keep his covenant and his decrees.
The friendship of the LORD is with those
who fear him, and his covenant, for their in-
struction.” Fear of the Lord is not some
trembling before an angry God. The fear of
the LORD, the respect and regard for His
will, is the beginning of wisdom. Ps. 111:10.