We take a bit of a ‘detour’ from Mark’s Gospel and land in the final two verses of the final book of the Old Testament. In the book of Malachi, we see how God addresses the fears and complaints of the people by demonstrating God’s faithfulness and trustworthiness. If you have a bit of extra time and especially if you have never read through Malachi, why not make the most of this detour and familiarise yourself with the whole of this book – it’s only four short chapters long. The prophet answers the fears and complaints of the people by reminding them of what God has done throughout history and despite the people of God’s unfaithfulness, God has remained faithful. The book not only looks back but it also looks forward, promising a messenger to prepare a way, sound familiar? The Old Testament ends with the imagery of Elijah while the New Testament doesn’t take long before introducing us to the Elijah like the figure of John the Baptist.

Yesterday we looked at how Peter has assumed that the “Day of the Lord” had arrived, and this passage from Malachi adds weight to how he may have reached that conclusion – I mean there was Elijah, just as had been prophesied.

It’s easy to get lost in the last few words of this passage, the “or else...” bit, but don’t miss the beautiful words of the promise of reconciliation. I guess the “or else” is there because as much as God desires to bring reconciliation we need to play our part in the process, we are called to be both active and willing participants and recipients. In Jesus, we have the opportunity of complete reconciliation with God the Father with his children, thanks to the Son. SP

Questions

Prayer

Thank you for the cross, Jesus. Thank you that your sacrifice enables reconciliation with God and calls us forward to be agents of reconciliation in your world. Strengthen us for this task and in Jesus name. Amen.