First reading Ecclesiasticus 48:1-4,9-12
The prophet Elijah will come again
The prophet Elijah arose like a fire,
his word flaring like a torch.
It was he who brought famine on the people,
and who decimated them in his zeal.
By the word of the Lord, he shut up the heavens,
he also, three times, brought down fire.
How glorious you were in your miracles, Elijah!
Has anyone reason to boast as you have?
Taken up in the whirlwind of fire,
in a chariot with fiery horses;
designated in the prophecies of doom
to allay God’s wrath before the fury breaks,
to turn the hearts of fathers towards their children,
and to restore the tribes of Jacob,
Happy shall they be who see you,
and those who have fallen asleep in love.
Responsorial Psalm 79(80):2-3,15-16,18-19
God of hosts, bring us back; let your face shine on us and we shall be saved.
O shepherd of Israel, hear us,
shine forth from your cherubim throne.
O Lord, rouse up your might,
O Lord, come to our help.
God of hosts, turn again, we implore,
look down from heaven and see.
Visit this vine and protect it,
the vine your right hand has planted.
May your hand be on the man you have chosen,
the man you have given your strength.
And we shall never forsake you again;
give us life that we may call upon your name.
Gospel Matthew 17:10-13
Elijah has come already and they did not recognise him
As they came down from the mountain the disciples put this question to Jesus, ‘Why do the scribes say that Elijah has to come first?’ ‘True;’ he replied ‘Elijah is to come to see that everything is once more as it should be; however, I tell you that Elijah has come already and they did not recognise him but treated him as they pleased; and the Son of Man will suffer similarly at their hands.’ The disciples understood then that he had been speaking of John the Baptist.
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People are gifts, not obstacles
The Jewish people believed that the prophet Elijah would return to earth to prepare the way for the Messiah’s coming. Jesus identified John the Baptist as the “Elijah” in today’s gospel. However, the people refused to welcome John the Baptist, treated him disdainfully and even had him beheaded. Jesus knew that He, too, would be treated the same because of His faithfulness in preaching the Good News of God’s love. Both John the Baptist and Jesus were disregarded because the people around them failed to appreciate them as God’s gifts to them and as persons with dignity.
Today, as we draw near Christmas, let us reflect on how we often fail to appreciate people and treat them as nobodies, as obstacles to be removed. May we learn from Jesus how to love each person we encounter with respect because they too are God’s children.
Reflective question:
How do I live this day with awareness of each person’s dignity as a child of God?
How do I live this day with awareness of each person’s dignity as a child of God?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year C” by Sr Sandra Seow FMVD.
