11 Dec 2010, Saturday of the Second Week of Advent

Reading 1
Sir 48:1-4, 9-11

In those days,
like a fire there appeared the prophet Elijah
whose words were as a flaming furnace.
Their staff of bread he shattered,
in his zeal he reduced them to straits;
By the Lord’s word he shut up the heavens
and three times brought down fire.
How awesome are you, Elijah, in your wondrous deeds!
Whose glory is equal to yours?
You were taken aloft in a whirlwind of fire,
in a chariot with fiery horses.
You were destined, it is written, in time to come
to put an end to wrath before the day of the LORD,
To turn back the hearts of fathers toward their sons,
and to re-establish the tribes of Jacob.
Blessed is he who shall have seen you
and who falls asleep in your friendship.

Ps 80:2ac and 3b, 15-16, 18-19 Responsorial Psalm
R. (4)

Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
O shepherd of Israel, hearken,
From your throne upon the cherubim, shine forth.
Rouse your power.
R. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
Once again, O LORD of hosts,
look down from heaven, and see;
Take care of this vine,
and protect what your right hand has planted
the son of man whom you yourself made strong.
R. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
May your help be with the man of your right hand,
with the son of man whom you yourself made strong.
Then we will no more withdraw from you;
give us new life, and we will call upon your name.
R. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.

Gospel
Mt 17:9a, 10-13

As they were coming down from the mountain,
the disciples asked Jesus,
“Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”
He said in reply, “Elijah will indeed come and restore all things;
but I tell you that Elijah has already come,
and they did not recognize him but did to him whatever they pleased.
So also will the Son of Man suffer at their hands.”
Then the disciples understood
that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.

Meditation: Matthew 17:9-13

“Elijah has already come.” (Matthew 17:12)

On their way down the Mount of Transfiguration, the disciples questioned Jesus about one of the mysterious figures they saw with him there—the prophet Elijah. Why is it written that Elijah must return just before the age of the Messiah? Jesus helps them to understand that “Elijah” has already come in the person of John the Baptist.

There are many similarities between these two fiery prophets. They both loved God and wanted to do his will. They both lived very simply. They both had a strong message of repentance. Both fearlessly confronted evil kings. Both felt all alone at times. And both got out of the way for someone greater to come.

It is no accident that the church draws our attention to these two figures during Advent. This season is full of wrappings and trappings: fancy clothes, special foods, festive gatherings, carefully selected gifts, and beloved carols. There’s nothing wrong with all that. In fact, it can help remind us how precious is the gift we are getting ready to celebrate at Christmas.

But as heartwarming as these preparations can be, we could all stand some time emulating Elijah and John the Baptist. It’s good, every now and then, to put aside the peripheral stuff and focus on the essential truths at the core of our Advent celebration. In the final analysis, what matters isn’t the number of presents we have bought or how much we have decorated our homes. What matters is that we seek to do God’s will.

This calling—a calling that Elijah and John the Baptist embraced—is both simple and hard. It is simple because it isn’t a call to do a lot more, it’s a call to do what we should do with a pure and humble heart. But this is also why it is harder. Nothing is more demanding, in a sense, than making sure that our every thought and deed gives glory and honor to the Lord.

Today, make it a point to carve out a quiet time and space where you can be with Jesus. Let everything peripheral fall away, and let the reality of his presence fill you. This is the best possible way to prepare the way of the Lord!

“Jesus, I love you. Help me to tune out everything else and focus on your love and your presence.”

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