DAILY- HOMILY

DECEMBER 11, 2010
SATURDAY 2ND WEEK OF ADVENT – YEAR II

SIRACH 48:1-4, 9-11
Then the prophet Elijah arose like a fire, his word flaring like a
torch. It was he who brought famine on them and decimated them in his
zeal. By the word of the Lord he shut up the heavens, three times also
he 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.
Blessed, those who will see you, and those who have fallen asleep in
love; for we too shall certainly have life.

MATTHEW 17:10-13
And the disciples put this question to him, 'Why then do the scribes
say that Elijah must come first?' He replied, 'Elijah is indeed
coming, and he will set everything right again; 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.' Then the disciples understood that he was speaking of
John the Baptist.

REFLECTION
Elijah, the man of God, mysteriously foreshadowed John the Baptist in
many ways. The return of Elijah was discussed in ancient Jewish
tradition. Today's first reading from the book of Sirach, also known
as Ecclesiasticus, written about 200 years before the birth of Christ,
speaks about this tradition. In saying that Elijah has returned, Jesus
is referring to John the Baptist.

John's first public appearance was in the desert, near the Jordan, the
very place venerated by the memory of Elijah. John the Baptist was the
censor of people, the warning to people, yet winning people over by
his utter simplicity. He did not draw them by soft inducements but by
harsh words and by the threat of doom that awaited those who would not
listen.

In his exhortations he distinguished true heart conversion from the
false conversion of conformity. John the Baptist was, a fiery
whirlwind in his lifestyle, vividly remembering Elijah's ascension
into heaven in a whirlwind, carried away in a flaming chariot drawn by
flaming horses.

Our reflections should reflect the same kind of urgency and zealous
anticipation of the Lord's return. But John is only a symbol. He is
dynamic model. He teaches us discipline, mortification and repentance.
There is to be no more hiding behind excuses for our weak spiritual
life. John warns us with stark directness: "Even now, the ax is laid
to the root of the tree." And he does this not only by his dramatic
words, but by his very life style, that of a herald's voice, silenced
only by martyrdom, the offering of his life for the faith that he
proclaimed.

When we open up our hearts to his words and his memory, we heighten
our awareness of what Christ's coming can mean for us, namely the
beginning of a new life of grace. Each advent can constitute a renewal
of Baptism, through which our souls were first opened to the coming of
the Savior. Christ does not come empty-handed. He brings us divine
life. Christ is, after all, the supreme Gift-giver.

PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray …
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the
unborn.
… for the speedy recovery and healing of
- Elizabeth B. Santos
- Konnie Lo
- Jo Marcelo, Jun Lee, Mon Torres, Fleur Torres, Peping Torres, John
Lawrence
- Marife
- Vicky Fabella
- Susan
… for the personal intentions of
- Maxiene Ponce De Leon
- Carlito P. Santos, Maria Karen B. Santos, Karlo Eliezer B. Santos,
Jhoanna Leiko B. Hagiwara
- Veca Yap
- Josheil Dapo
…In Thanksgiving: Luis Torres
… for the eternal repose of the souls of Felino Manas Santos, Gregoria
Pahati Santos. Eternal rest grant unto them and may perpetual light
shine upon them. May they and all the dearly departed rest in peace.
… for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- Birthday: Joana Mari G. Villanueva
- Birthday: Mark Allan C. Camposagrado
- Birthday: Max Tuliao
- Birthday: Pinky S. Abueg
- Birthday: Alle Lourdes T. Sun
- Wedding Anniversary: Tom & Edith Caro
… for world peace and reconciliation.

Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers
and for those who need our prayers the most.

Have a good day!

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