DAILY- HOMILY

10 December 2016

Saturday, 2nd Week of Advent

Violet.          

Sir 48:1 - 4, 9 – 11 / Mt 17: 9a, 10 – 13.

[Archdiocese of Manila: Dedication of Metropolitan Cathedral (1958). Feast.     White]   

From the 1st Reading: Sir 48: 1, 9 - 11

Then came the prophet Elijah like a fire, his words a burning torch. 

You were taken up by a whirlwind of flames in a chariot drawn by fiery horses.  It was written that you should be the one to calm God's anger in the future before it broke out in fury, to turn the hearts of fathers to their sons and to restore the tribes of Jacob.  Happy are those who will see you and those who die in love, for we too shall live.

From the Gospel Reading: Mt 17:  10 - 13

The disciples then asked him, "Why do the teachers of the Law say that Elijah must come first?" And Jesus answered, "So it is: first comes Elijah to set everything as it has to be. But I tell you, Elijah has already come and they did not recognize him, but treated him as they pleased. And they will also make the Son of Man suffer."

Then the disciples understood that Jesus was referring to John the Baptist.

Reflection

According to Jewish tradition the prophet Elijah will one day come back to earth, and his return would signify the imminent coming of the Messiah.  He is therefore the forerunner of the Messiah who will "allay God's wrath before the fury breaks, to turn the hearts of fathers towards their children, and to restore the tribes of Jacob."  The first reading teaches us to turn away from all our false idols and give God the praise and adoration that is due him.  It also tells us to be always prepared for the Lord's coming by turning away from sin and doing God's will.

Today's Gospel reading immediately follows the Transfiguration of Christ witnessed by the apostles Peter, James and John.  Then Jesus instructs the three  disciples not to tell anyone about what they had seen.  One of them asks Jesus about Elijah whom the Jews believe would announce the coming of the Messiah.  Jesus replies that Elijah had already come but the Jews had failed to recognize him in John the Baptist.  In the same way, many of the Jews did not realize that the Messiah had already come in the person of Jesus.  Just like the prophets before him, Jesus would be persecuted by his own people.  He was to die on the cross.  Even the disciples  expected the Messiah to be someone who would wield temporal power and free them from the yoke of Roman oppression. 

How many times have we failed to understand and acknowledge the presence of Jesus in our midst?  How many times have we failed to understand God's plan for us because we insist on doing things our way and not God's?     

WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER DIARY INTENTIONS:

BIRTHDAY

     Loreto T. Reyes

     Gina Mallonga

THANKSGIVING

     Dennis, Jocelyn, Henry, Hannah & Hazel

WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

     Manny & Dory Gutierrez

IN MEMORIAM (+)

     Jeffrey Go

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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