Saturday of the Second Week of Advent Year 2 2023

Title

The Elijah Who Is to Come

Outline

God’s Ways are not Our Ways

We are in Advent, waiting for the coming of the Lord, but so were the Jews in the first century who longed for the Messiah and greeted every Messianic candidate with enthusiasm.

Both Sirach and Jesus’ disciples were longing for Elijah

The Elijah they longed for was a worldly failure.

He was indeed “a prophet [who] appeared, his words a flaming furnace” and his signs and wonders were impressive. But when he left “in a whirlwind” the nation had not turned back to God and Elijah was deeply discouraged because of that fact - Jezebel still held the power.

But Sirach says, “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.”

Yet the man whom Jesus identified as Elijah returned had not succeeded: “Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him but did to him whatever they pleased.” And Qumran that was Elijah like and training for the final battle while at the same time preaching extreme holiness would be wiped out by the Romans in AD 70.

At the same time Jesus still holds to the idea of a successful return of Elijah: “Elijah will indeed come and restore all things.”

So how can this be?

The Messianic and prophetic pretenders came as people channeling divine power into success. Some, like Judas the Galilean wanted to be like the Maccabees who won battles and ultimately gained political freedom of a religious state.

But Elijah and Elisha show that power, such as signs and wonders, even connected to a clear call to trust in Yahweh at best produces a temporary turning and normally more respect than heart change, a respect that leads others to try to use the prophet.

So Jesus pointed to a new way. The transfiguration had been important for the disciples who had forsaken all to follow Jesus, they needed to know the hidden reality, but the victory would come through suffering, therefore, as Jesus taught at least 3 times, “the Son of Man [will] suffer at their hands.” That is what releases the power to change hearts. And that is why Pope Francis is so strong on going to the margins and getting down with the suffering in the name of Jesus, for that is what changed things in Church history.

One cannot conquer Satan with power on power, with the power of this age, be it political, military, or even religious. Satan was conquered at the cross.

When Elijah comes, what will it look like?

Will it be like Mt Carmel or like Elisha’s great wonders? Will he be consulted by kings as Elijah and Elisha were (and John the Baptist tried to be)?

Or will he identify with the sufferings of Christ and call those in the world to bring their sufferings to those of Christ in the context of a community identified with Christ? And will it look like Satan is really gaining a victory, for people cannot see the transformation of hearts going on in the unseen marginalized and in those who have given up power and privilege to be in Jesus’ band, his Church?

If we look at the past examples, including John the Baptist, what it will not look like is some large revival meeting that is attracting the world and that therefore has politicians cozying up to it. It is more likely to look like the risky movements of St Francis and St Dominic and so many others that the world at the time mostly overlooked because they followed the way of the cross. Even so come, Lord Jesus.

Readings

Catholic Daily Readings 12-16-2023: Saturday of the Second Week of Advent

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!

Catholic Daily Readings 12-16-2023: Saturday of the Second Week of Advent

RESPONSE

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.

Catholic Daily Readings 12-16-2023: Saturday of the Second Week of Advent

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 12-16-2023: Saturday of the Second Week of Advent

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2023 | 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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