Reading of the Word of God

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

This is the Gospel of the poor,
liberation for the imprisoned,
sight for the blind,
freedom for the oppressed.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

Malachi 3,1-4.23-24

'Look, I shall send my messenger to clear a way before me. And suddenly the Lord whom you seek will come to his Temple; yes, the angel of the covenant, for whom you long, is on his way, says Yahweh Sabaoth. Who will be able to resist the day of his coming? Who will remain standing when he appears? For he will be like a refiner's fire, like fullers' alkali. He will take his seat as refiner and purifier; he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, so that they can make the offering to Yahweh with uprightness. The offering of Judah and Jerusalem will then be acceptable to Yahweh as in former days, as in the years of old. 'Look, I shall send you the prophet Elijah before the great and awesome Day of Yahweh comes. He will reconcile parents to their children and children to their parents, to forestall my putting the country under the curse of destruction.'

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

The Son of Man came to serve,
whoever wants to be great
should become servant of all.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

The last words of the book of Malachi open for us to the coming of Jesus, the one who will fulfil the words of the Law and of the Prophets. Malachi lives in a complex time in which the faith of Israel was discussed within a world that was changing quickly and unexpectedly. What could the small people of Israel do without independence and autonomy facing large nations who were advancing, imposing in history? The Israelites were wondering: "Where is the God of justice?" But the Lord has not abandoned or forgotten his people. On the contrary, he will intervene in their favour: "See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight-indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts." We need to listen to the "messengers" of God, the prophets of his Word, those who help us prepare the way of the Lord. His Word will lead us to meet the Lord. How important is to live waiting and ready. not closing in our certainties and habits and searching tranquillity and wellbeing that do not respond to our need for salvation!