Messenger of the covenant

Freshly into the new liturgical year, we celebrate the Second and Third Sundays of Advent. As many are preparing for upcoming Christmas gatherings,  the Gospel readings point us to the “messenger of the covenant” (Mal 3:1). St. John the Baptist, as Jesus testifies, is appointed by God to prepare the way for the coming Messiah, the one promised in the covenants with Noah, Abraham, Moses and David and fulfilled in the New Covenant, him being Jesus Christ.  Why is this so important to us as disciples of Jesus, and how does the “messenger” of the covenant impact our lives today?

Oneness: Gathering the scattered

God’s plan for our salvation is beautifully seen throughout the Old Testament. Within the divine plan are four pivotal covenants God has with mankind, beginning with Noah. God established a covenant with Noah and his descendants, all nations, scattered throughout the world, to never again flood the earth destroying all life. This relationship is between a faithful humanity and a merciful God. 

God then choose Abraham, because of his deep faith, to be the bearer of the covenant which gathers the scattered into one flock. “The people descended from Abraham would be the trustee of the promise made to the patriarchs, the chosen people, called to prepare for that day when God would gather all his children into the unity of the church. They would be the root on to which the Gentiles would be grafted, once they came to believe” (Catechism of the Catholic Church 60). Our church today is in God’s plan of salvation: the people of God from all nations united in the oneness of the church established by Jesus.

Israel, David and the prophets

God’s plan continues in the covenant with Moses, as God forms Israel to be the chosen people. “Formed by freedom from slavery in Egypt, God established with them the covenant of Mount Sinai and, through Moses, gave them his law so that they would recognize him and serve him as the one living and true God, the providential father and just judge, and so that they would look for the promised Savior” (Catechism 62). Ultimately, the final Old Testament Covenant with David is established years later, whereby the Messiah would come from David’s descendants (2 Sm 7).

Subsequently, God sent prophets as messengers reminding the people of the hope-filled promise of salvation in God, an “expectation of a new and everlasting covenant intended for all, to be written on their hearts. The prophets proclaim a radical redemption of the people of God, purification from all their infidelities, a salvation which will include all the nations. Above all, the poor and humble of the Lord will bear this hope” (Catechism, 64).

Throughout history one sees the Israelites’ path of remaining in God, then turning away from God, then realizing their transgressions and turning back to God. Even during the times of exile the Israelites, with the voices of the prophets, held firm in the promise of the coming Messiah. Years were spent wandering the desert, yet with each step there was hope in the coming of the Lord. And then when the time was right came a voice crying out from the wilderness.

None greater than John (Mt 3:1-12)

Jesus’ words resound as he speaks of St. John the Baptist, “Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” St. John’s message was foretold by God through the prophets, “Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way before you” (Mal 3:1). St. John quelled the expectations of who would be the messenger. His residence was in the desert, not some palace. St. John wore humble attire and survived on nature’s plenty, as opposed to those in ornate clothing and rich foods. St. John, the messenger of the covenant, is the voice of all the prophets combined. He opened the path to those then and us today to prepare the way of the Lord. 

St. John’s testimony (Mt 11:2-11)

His message is one of repentance, to turn away from sin and remain in right relationship with God. Those who believe will recognize the promised one who is to come, who forgives and restores so that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are healed, the deaf hear and the dead rise. The proclamation is for all the poor, not only in poverty but also in spirit, those wandering in the “wilderness.” St. John prepared the way for us to ready our hearts to meet Jesus. It is Jesus who will baptize all with the Holy Spirit, who in turn ignites a fire so fierce that nothing can extinguish it. 

We receive in Christ baptism in water, together with oil and light, and are welcomed into relationship with the Holy Trinity.  We are cleansed from original sin, restored to relationship with God and set on the path of salvation. Our hearts are set aflame as we receive the Holy Spirit in the sacrament baptism and are strengthened in the sacrament of confirmation.  

We are messengers

We, as disciples of Jesus, are called to be messengers of his life, preparing the way for others to encounter Jesus, in word and deed. We pray for strength to proclaim. We repent and invite others to do the same, to turn away from sin and receive the sacrament of reconciliation. We partake in the Eucharist, heavenly food for the journey, simple and superabundant. We are clothed in the armor of Christ by faith, hope and love. We invite others into the story of God’s plan for our salvation; a plan that was set in motion immediately after the “fall” and unfolded over thousands of years until the time was right and the New Covenant was established by Jesus Christ, who lived, suffered and died to set us free and bring us to eternal life. His life and sacrifice, his way is our path. From manger to cross to tomb to resurrection. We are Jesus’ messengers of hope. Prepare the way. Come let us adore him, Christ, the Lord.

Dow is the director of the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis for the Diocese of Baton Rouge.