Funny-Looking Angel

In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

This time of year seems to bring out all kinds of stories about strange-looking characters. There is the kid's story that now seems like a classic, the Elf on a Shelf. Now, someone has come up with a Jewish counterpart – the Mensch on a Bench. St. Nicholas Day was yesterday, so children around the world have have a round of presents delivered, if they were good little boys and girls. In some countries, St. Nick is a rather bizarre, wizened character. And, if the children were not good, on 5 December Krampus came around to do all manner of mischief and mayhem. We still have Santa Lucia Day coming next week, when those of Italian or Scandinavian extraction celebrate the eyeless young maiden who comes with a wreath of candles on her head.

Legend and history is not the only source for funny-looking characters. Today's Gospel lesson introduces us to John the Baptist, the Forerunner of our Lord. Mark introduces him by quoting from the prophet Malachi, who says, literally, “Behold, I send My angel before your face, who will prepare Your way.” John is a funny-looking angel.

Keeping Promises

In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

We all make and receive promises on a regular basis. Some are relatively innocuous, like “I promise to take out the trash after supper.” Some are more serious – “With this ring, I thee wed.” Some promises seem of little consequence – “Yes, I will get you that for Christmas.” Others are a matter of life and death – “First, do no harm.” However great or small, trivial or grave, promises are made to be kept, and so we expect people to keep their word.

Likewise, the people of God expect God to keep His Word. He has promised certain things, and has done them in the past. Therefore, He ought to keep His promises to us now. Upon this premise, the Psalmist cries out, “Lord, You were favorable to Your land, You restored the fortunes of Jacob... Restore us again, O God of our salvation!” (Psalm 85:1, 4) The Lord had governed His people for generations, preserving them in the midst of trials and leading them with His mighty hand. He had given a son to Abraham and had preserved Jacob against the tricks of his uncle and the wrath of his brother. Therefore, if the Lord did all that for the patriarchs, should He not do it for His people in need now?