The message: The prophet of the Lord, the Messiah, appears to men to bring God’s messages and to manifest His greater glory. It is a news that testifies of the Lord Jesus-Christ, according to the words of the apostle John about Him: « And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory,
the glory as of a father’s only son » Jn 1:14, this Word being full of life and power. In this respect, Jesus accomplished the miracle of the resurrection from the dead of the son of the widow of Nain, which caused the people who followed Him to exclaim: « A great prophet has risen among us » and « God has visited his people » Lk 7:16c. The appearance of the Prophet of the Lord is not only to carry the divine messages, but also to fulfil them. This was emphasised by Jesus when He read Isaiah’s prophecy about the coming of the Messiah to the many people gathered in the synagogue in Nazareth, saying: « The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor (Isa 61:1-2) » Lk 4:18-19. And, when it was finished, He said: « Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing » Lk 4:21. Indeed, for all those who, in the midst of struggles, long for His salvation and implore Him, the Prophet of the Lord will appear, according to the prophet’s declaration: « But for you who revere my name the sun of righteousness shall rise, with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall » Mal 4:2. All those who have heard and accepted the words of grace brought by the Prophet of the Lord will rejoice and cry out: « How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace » Isa 52:7a. From then on, the Holy Scriptures deliver this message: « Believe in the Lord your God and you will be established; believe his prophets and you will succeed » 2 Chr 20:20c.
Monday, 16th: The Prophet of the Lord makes known His words.
« I will put my words in the mouth of the prophet, who shall speak to them everything that I command » Deut 18:18b,c.
Reading 1: Jn 3:28-36. Reading 2: Deut 18:15-19. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Deut 18:18.
Introduction: Because the Spirit of the Lord dwells and works in those whom He has anointed and sent, Jesus says: « For I have not spoken on my own, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment about what to say and what to speak. And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I speak, therefore, I speak just as the Father has told me » Jn 12:49-50. It is the same for all those whom the Lord sent to preach His word, so that the apostle Peter declares: « Whoever speaks must do so as one speaking the very words of God » 1 Pet 4:11a. The apostle Paul also declares: « We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith » Rom 12:6, in other words, according to the example of the word of God.
Tuesday, 17th: The Prophet of the Lord manifests His glory.
« Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee and revealed his glory » Jn 2:11a,b.
Reading 1: 1 Kings 18:36-40. Reading 2: Jn 2:1-11. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Jn 2:8-11.
Introduction: The church of Israel recognized as a prophet of God the one who preached and did wonders in accordance with what God had appointed. The Pharisee Nicodemus, a religious leader among the Jews, said to Jesus, coming to Him: « Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with that person » Jn 3:2. Indeed, the Prophet of the Lord is powerful in His words, but also in His deeds, that is to say in the signs that accompany the former (Mar 16:20).
Wednesday, 18th: Jesus Christ is the Prophet of the Lord. « I am he, the one who is speaking to you » Jn 4:26.
Reading 1: Heb 1:1-9. Reading 2: Jn 4:4-26. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Jn 4:25-26.
Introduction: The prophet is the representative and the spokesman of the divine messages. He is required to be honest and faithful, blameless in his service. Paul said to Timothy: « Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved by him, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly explaining the word of truth » 2 Tim 2:15. This is fully fulfilled in Jesus.
Thursday, 19th: The Prophet of the Lord, Reconciler with God.
« For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us » Eph 2:14.
Reading 1: Isa 53:1-5. Reading 2: Eph 2:10-16. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Eph 2:14.
Introduction: The prophet of the Lord was sent to reconcile men to Him. When Jesus began to preach, He said: « Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near » Mt 4:17. He actually destroyed in Himself, by His death, the separation from God (2 Cor 5:19), accepting that His blood be shed, because « without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins » Heb 9:22b. This is a source of eternal salvation, because He « became High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek » (Heb 5:10).
Friday, 20th: Believe in the Prophet, Messenger of the Lord.
« This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him » Mt 17:5b.
Reading 1: 2 Chr 20:13-21. Reading 2: Mt 17:1-8. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Mt 17:5.
Introduction: God, who sent His prophets, guarantees the truth of His words – which makes them words of God, words really coming from God and their accomplishment. For « God is not a human being, that he should lie, or a mortal, that he should change his mind. Has he promised, and will he not do it? Has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it? » Num 23:19. The Lord said to Jeremiah: « Now I have put my words in your mouth » Jer 1:9b. And jointly: « It shall accomplish that which I purpose and succeed in the thing for which I sent it » Isa 55:11b. Believe that the words of the Prophet are true and trustworthy !
Saturday, 21st: God is with His prophets.
« They shall know that there has been a prophet among them » Ezek 2:5.
Reading 1: Mt 23:29-39. Reading 2: Ezek 2:1-10. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Ezek 2:4-5.
Introduction: God makes common cause with the prophets He sends, because He makes them proclaimers of the truth of His words (Jn 17:17). Therefore, He clothes them with strength and authority, making them this promise: « No weapon that is fashioned against you shall prosper, and you shall confute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their vindication from me, says the Lord » Isa 54:17. For it is written: « So that you may be justified in your words and you will prevail when you go to trial (Ps 51:4) » Rom 3:4b.
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