“HONEY FROM THE ROCK”
16th December 2017.
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SATURDAY, SECOND WEEK OF ADVENT
Reading 1: Sir 48: 1-4, 9-11 Elijah’s life is praised by the author of Sirach. He preached penance, was taken to heaven, and was a reconciler.
Res. Psalm: Ps 79: 2-3, 15-16, 18-19; Lord, let your face shine on us and we shall be saved. Give us life that we may call upon your name.
Gospel:Mt 17: 10-13 Jesus, speaking of the tradition that Elijah is to come again, says that he has already come in the person of John the Baptizer and was rejected.
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YAHWEH IS MY GOD
Elijah was supposed to return to earth before the end time and the arrival of the Messiah. People were in uncertainty: If John the Baptist were Elijah come back to earth, then Jesus is the Messiah, appearing in the last age of the world. Jesus answered the questions of his disciples by asserting that John the Baptist was, indeed, Elijah returned to earth.
The role of St. John the Baptist as the Elijah to come was missed by the scribes. They failed to see him fulfilling Elijah’s role of preparing the way for the Lord. Like John had a unique and definitive role in preparing for the coming of Christ, so also we all have a role in preparing for Jesus’ continual coming. Jesus came once many years ago, but He desires to continue coming into our lives. And He can only come if we properly prepare for Him. John the Baptist’s main message was to repent of our sin. Though we all struggle with sin as a result of our fallen human nature, we should never forget that our calling is that of perfection, to be perfect as the Father in Heaven is perfect. We are called to recognize our sins, confess them, and strive to become detached from them.
Elijah’s name means “Yahweh is my God.” Now, during this ‘Advent, I have to ask myself, “Is Yahweh my God, too? Do I live for him, do I live on him, do I seek to share him with others, as Elijah did?” If my answer to these questions is no, then I need Advent; above all, I need John the Baptizer and his message of repentance: Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths: all mankind shall see the salvation of God.
Christmas is coming. We will have a making-present-again, an “instant replay”, as it were, of Jesus’ birth into our lives, our hearts, but only on condition that we want him badly enough in our lives. At this time, it is right that we seek out the grace of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and reflect upon how ready and willing we are to preach to our own soul about the importance of repenting of your sins. Embracing repentance is the best way to prepare for the continuous coming of Christ in your life.
Prayer: Lord, help me to see my sin as we enter more deeply into this Advent season. Help me to be aware of the many things that keep me from You and to turn from them wholeheartedly. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen.