Here’s a
simple litany which combines Malachi 3:1-4 and Luke 3:4-6, two of the suggested
readings for the second Sunday of Advent (Year C).
Litany
(Malachi 3:1-4, Luke 3:4-6)
Look! says
the Lord of Heaven’s Hosts,
I am
sending my messenger,
and he will
prepare the way before me.
Then the Lord you are seeking will
suddenly come to his Temple.
The messenger of the covenant, whom
you look for so eagerly,
is surely coming.
He is a
voice shouting in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming!
Clear the road for him!
The valleys will be filled,
and the mountains and hills made level.
The curves will be straightened,
and the rough places made smooth.
And then all people will see
the salvation sent from God.’
‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming!
Clear the road for him!
The valleys will be filled,
and the mountains and hills made level.
The curves will be straightened,
and the rough places made smooth.
And then all people will see
the salvation sent from God.’
But who
will be able to endure it when he comes?
Who will be
able to stand and face him when he appears?
For he will
be like a blazing fire that refines metal,
or like a
strong soap that bleaches clothes.
He will sit like a refiner of
silver, burning away the dross.
He will purify the Levites, refining
them like gold and silver,
so that they may once again offer
acceptable sacrifices to the Lord.
