Read Ecclesiasticus 48:1-4,9-12, Ps. 80:2-3,15-16,18-19, Matthew 17:10-13
“I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognise him, but they did to him whatever they pleased. So also, the Son of Man is about to suffer at their hands.” (Matthew 17:12)
Just as our first reading pays glowing tributes to Elijah, many people in the time of Jesus strongly believed that Elijah must return and that the Messiah would not come unless Elijah returned.
Now, the disciples of Jesus, who were still having difficulty understanding who Jesus was, had to ask him this question about Elijah. Indirectly, they were saying: “If you are the Messiah, how come Elijah has not yet returned?”
Jesus responded by basically telling them: “Yes! I am the Messiah. I am the One you have been waiting for. I am God in your midst. Elijah has come, but they also treated him badly, so will I be treated.”
Jesus never said John the Baptist was the reincarnation of Elijah; he did not even mention the name of the person he was referring to; it was the disciples who assumed he meant John the Baptist.
The point in today’s messages is simple: Jesus is God in the midst of people. We have no reason to doubt that Jesus is the Promised Messiah. Every prophecy about Jesus came to pass, even those made thousands of years before he was born. We do not need any further proof. Jesus is Truly God.
Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, increase my faith and trust in you. Through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Saturday of the 2nd week of Advent. Bible Study: Ecclesiasticus 48:1-4,9-12, Ps. 80:2-3,15-16,18-19, Matthew 17:10-13).
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu