Saturday of the Second Week of Advent

Title

The New Elijah

Outline

Elijah, the flaming prophet, how you have changed

It is true that John wore the same prophetic vestment as Elijah

It is true that both warned of the Day of the Lord

It is true that both came “To turn back the hearts of parents toward their children, and to re-establish the tribes of Israel.”

And it is true that neither was successful in the way they hoped: Elijah did not know that there were 7,000 left and John did not see the type of Messiah he expected nor a great change

And yet how different they were: Elijah is known for his miracles of judgment and his miracles of healing, while John worked no miracle. Elijah was caught up to heaven alive and in an honorable manner, while John was executed alone in a prison.

Jesus says, “Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him but did to him whatever they pleased.”

It is a warning from God that only as we listen to God will we necessarily recognize fulfilled prophecy. Christians have found themselves unable to recognize prophetic signs down through history just as the Jews by and large were unable to recognize Elijah in John

Yet John like Elijah prophesied powerfully, although by his death

After talking about how Elijah was not recognized in John, Jesus adds, “So also will the Son of Man suffer at their hands.” John in his ignominious death was a prophetic sign that the Messiah he had awaited would likewise be executed.

Peter, James, and John were excited and confirmed by the transfiguration. But, Jesus says, that was not a vision for the “now,” but a vision for another time: “Do not tell the vision to anyone until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.” Peter, James and John had no idea what he was talking about, but would find out better bye and bye.

The vision for the “now” was John’s execution in prison, the Elijah of suffering, perhaps fleeing from Jezebel, not the Elijah of power - that would become more evident after the resurrection.

Sisters, there are three parts to a prophetic word

There is the vision, the experience granted by God, whether verbal or intellectual or visual

There is the interpretation or revelation, the meaning of the experience, which is often hard to understand, even misunderstood

There is the timing, the timing when the word should be spoke, the timing when the word would apply.

Prophets, both secular and religious, abound, but only some have heard God and fewer understand what they hear, let alone have their timing correct.

So be cautious with prophecy, ever weighing it and seeking God’s perspective, not our human perspective. And ever remember that when Elijah next appears we will likely find him hard to recognize even though the signs are there, for there will be a new twist since he will come before the ultimate coming of the Son of Man.

Readings

Catholic Daily Readings 12-11-2021: 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 12-11-2021: 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 12-11-2021: 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 12-11-2021: Saturday of the Second Week of Advent

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2021 | ADVENT

SATURDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK OF ADVENT

YEARS 1 & 2 | ROMAN MISSAL | LECTIONARY

On the same date: Saint Damasus I, Pope

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

Violet or White if Saint Damascus I