Near indeed is our salvation

Today's Mass Readings

The Hebrew Scriptures foretold that Elijah would return before the Messiah, and so Jesus’ announcement that John the Baptist is Elijah is simultaneously an announcement of himself as the Messiah. John the Baptist is a prophet, like Elijah, one who has prophesied of the Messiah in the midst of violence suffered by the Kingdom of Heaven. And yet, even John, this great prophet, is not as great as the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. What is the Kingdom of Heaven? The psalm describes this kingdom where God’s works give him thanks, where they acknowledge God’s might, where the faithful bless him, etc. This kingdom is a Kingdom for all ages, enduring through all generations with glorious splendor.

The first reading from Isaiah adds to this picture the idea that this Kingdom is made possible by the Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel. To “worm Jacob” and “maggot Israel,” the Kingdom represents God’s salvation.

We are citizens of this Kingdom, where salvation comes to us through the Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, the Messiah who will be born as an inconspicuous infant and be revealed as our savior. We act sometimes like fickle children, as were those at the time of Jesus who were dissatisfied with John the Baptist and with Jesus, and yet “The Lord is gracious and merciful; slow to anger, and of great kindness.” He invites us to become good and holy citizens of his Kingdom – to turn away from our sins and trust in him.

May we bless his name and receive his compassion that he offers to us in the person of Jesus, his Son and Our Savior.

- Maria Morrow