Saturday of Second Week of Advent Marian

Title

The Hidden Sign

Outline

In our readings we read of Elijah/ John the Baptist as a sign of the Messiah

You hear a lot about signs in the Christian press today, of course, but take them with a grain of salt

Elijah had been a prophet of power who pointed towards John the Baptist who did indeed start “To turn back the hearts of parents toward their children, and to re-establish the tribes of Israel.” Jesus also “gathered the tribes” and brought healing.

All three suffered and seemed defeated, yet point towards a “gathering” and “healing” that is ongoing and will be fulfilled in its time.

Yet there is another sign, and that is our Blessed Mother

She had great revelations in the coming of Gabriel and in the prophecy of John through Elizabeth, among other events.

She bore the Messiah himself

And yet it was not all joy and angel choruses

She faced rejection when he pregnancy was discovered

She lived in poverty

She had to flee to Egypt to protect Jesus

She followed Jesus over the ups and downs of Palestine

She continued following Jesus to the cross

She had to say good-bye to Jesus and wait perhaps another 25 years for her own dormition and assumption

And most of all, she was kept hidden

Outside the Church people did not notice her

Even in the Church others were the public players

And most of all she was kept hidden from the demons, for her job must be done in quietness and obscurity and she needed protection

Friends, this is for our instruction

First, remember that all calls from God involve suffering as well as final joy, the cross as well as the crown

Second, notice that while some calls are public and known, most are like Mary’s - obscure, unnoticed, but characterized by faithful obedience to our Lord

So, yes, we celebrate John the Baptist and our public saints, who often suffered in horrible ways. But we celebrate even more Mary, who in her quiet obedience fulfilled the will of God and was elevated by him to glory.

Let us be like John the Baptist if God calls, but let us desire more to be like Mary - obscure, hidden, but intimate with Jesus with an eye on her joining him in her assumption.

Readings

FIRST READING

Sirach 48:1–4, 9–11

1 Until like fire a prophet appeared,

his words a flaming furnace.

2 The staff of life, their bread, he shattered,

and in his zeal he made them few in number.

3 By God’s word he shut up the heavens

and three times brought down fire.

4 How awesome are you, ELIJAH!

Whose glory is equal to yours?

9 You were taken aloft in a whirlwind,

in a chariot with fiery horses.

10 You are 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 parents toward their children,

and to re-establish the tribes of Israel.

11 Blessed is the one who shall have seen you before he dies!

Psalm 80:4

4 O God, restore us;

light up your face and we shall be saved.

PSALM

Psalm 80:2ac, 3b, 15–16, 18–19

2 O Shepherd of Israel, lend an ear,

you who guide Joseph like a flock!

Seated upon the cherubim, shine forth

3 upon Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh.

Stir up your power, and come to save us.

15 Turn back again, God of hosts;

look down from heaven and see;

Visit this vine,

16 the stock your right hand has planted,

and the son whom you made strong for yourself.

18 May your hand be with the man on your right,

with the son of man whom you made strong for yourself.

19 Then we will not withdraw from you;

revive us, and we will call on your name.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Luke 3:4, 6

4 as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah:

“A voice of one crying out in the desert:

‘Prepare the way of the Lord,

make straight his paths.

6 and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’ ”

GOSPEL

Matthew 17:9a, 10–13

9 As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, “Do not tell the vision to anyone until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

10  Then the disciples asked him, “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” 11 He said in reply, “Elijah will indeed come and restore all things; 12 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.” 13 Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.

Notes

Catholic Daily Readings 12-10-2022: Saturday of the Second Week of Advent

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2022 | ADVENT

SATURDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK OF ADVENT

YEARS 1 & 2 | ROMAN MISSAL | LECTIONARY

First Reading Sirach 48:1–4, 9–11

Response Psalm 80:4

Psalm Psalm 80:2ac, 3b, 15–16, 18–19

Gospel Acclamation Luke 3:4, 6

Gospel Matthew 17:9a, 10–13

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