The prophet Malachi speaks about God's arrival like a refining fire, burning away impurity.
Take a moment to centre yourself in prayer:
O God of wonder and promise, the words of the prophets ring in our ears. We pray you will keep our ears open to their message. You give us good news, and encourage us to seek peace. Help us to hear the song of the angels. In the midst of the busy-ness of the season, open our hearts to the soft tenderness of a new life in our midst, Amen
Season of Advent: Advent means “coming”. The colour of the season used to be purple (for royalty or for penitence) but became too sombre for this season of excitement and anticipation, so the liturgical colour is now blue (for expectation).
One of the realities of the season is “unpacking” the biblical stories from the tradition, where the two gospel accounts are so woven together they are inextricable. For example, in traditional lessons and carols services, the Christmas pageant, etc.
READ Malachi 3:1-4
Some lectionaries have Baruch (from Apocrypha) as an alternate reading.
Malachi is one of the “minor prophets” – not an indication that their role was less important, but that their written witness is shorter! (less than 10 chapters)
He is the last Prophet in our Old Testament or Hebrew scriptures, his time is one of the latest periods of written prophetic activity (c. 430 BCE) – except for Daniel, who reflects a time much earlier (575 BCE) than it was probably actually written (165 BCE).
The people are returned from exile, and Jerusalem and its temple are rebuilt. But the restoration is not what they hoped for; they are not prosperous, there is drought and famine. This leads to spiritual lethargy (or is it the other way around? Has a lack of faith led to their circumstances? They have also married outside the faith and worship other gods.
Malachi – means messenger.
The prophet is stern with the people, perceiving that their spiritual faithlessness has made them lazy. Instead of seeing a hard life as an excuse for abandoning their faith in God, they should see it as a test of their strength and endurance.
Likely the prophet came from within the temple establishment, and witnessed corruption and hypocrisy from priests and worshippers. The passage preceding has the people questioning God: why God won’t “accept” their offerings, and make things better? Malachi was pointing out their faithless ways. It ends with the people asking (ironically): “Where is the God of justice?”
3:1-2 – The reason we read this in Advent is the similarity between Malachi as “messenger” and John the Baptist. Both “prepare the way”. God will come “to his temple.” An allusion to the temple at Jerusalem, perhaps, suggesting that God’s presence will be seen and known in the promised land. The people look forward, believing that it will be a time of delight. But Malachi warns: are you REALLY ready?
Even though they are restored to Zion, they are not ready for God to dwell with them. Who are they waiting for: Is it God, God’s messenger, or the Messiah they await?
Judeans in the time of Malachi were made up of 3 groups:
1. Those who never left, and barely survived;
2. Those who left in exile, then returned more Jewish than before;
3. Those who returned with foreign partners, influences.
This produced three different answers to what makes a “righteous” offering. Malachi probably best represents the second group. An educated, idealistic monotheistic Jewish culture that was essentially conservative, and wanted to return to the good old days, burning away all impurity.
Question for Reflection:
In what ways do we find our Advent preparations influenced by a longing for the “good old days?”
READ Philippians 1:3-11
Probably written by Paul from prison in Rome, c.60 AD – expressing thanks for a gift sent by Philippian Christians. Not one of the disputed letters, clearly Pauline in language and theology. The first paragraph, for example, reads like a table of contents, reflecting the contents of the whole: Greeting, thanksgiving, present circumstance, their faith, the future.
This is one of Paul’s most joyful letters (from prison?) He is truly thankful for the goodness of the Philippians, and the active love they demonstrate.
Question for Reflection:
How is it that difficult times can make us realize true blessing?
READ Luke 3:1-6
The historical setting of a prophet is always significant –
- God works in and through human history
- God responds in the time of crisis
- God comes out on top in questions of Politics versus Religion – who rules?
Luke uses those same criteria at the beginning of his gospel: naming of the emperors and kings and priests situates the story in history; the kings and priests were known for brutality and collusion with Rome; the prophet (John the Baptist) insists God is the ultimate power.
John the Baptist worked in region around the Jordan, not Jerusalem, but Jordan flows into Galilee, where Herod Antipas had his kingdom
John’s baptism versus Christian baptism: This is a baptism of preparation for an impending event (ministry of Jesus) - a recognition of his importance. Christian baptism is commitment to the known; John’s baptism is commitment to unknown, to ultimate trust in God.
Isaiah 40 (on which John’s words are based) is a call to return from exile to Zion, the end of foreign oppression – a political message that fulfils the hope of Isaiah.
Question of Reflection:
What are we returning to or from in Advent this year?
Closing Prayer: We closed with a prayer from Cloth for the Cradle, by the Wild Goose Worship Group from the Iona community, called “Waiting”.
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