DAILY- HOMILY

December 16, 2017 – SATURDAY, Advent Weekday, 2nd Week of Advent

Violet

[Misa de Gallo, White, with Gloria]

Sir 48: 1 - 4, 9 – 11/ Mt 17: 9- 13

FROM THE FIRST 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 borne 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.

GOSPEL READING:           Mt 17: 9 -13

     And as they came down the mountain, Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone what they had just seen, until the Son of Man be raised from the dead.

     The disciples then asked him, "Why do 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

     The Gospel reading follows the extraordinary happening of the Transfiguration of Christ, witnessed by Peter, James and John. When the disciples ask Jesus whether Elijah must come before the Messiah, Jesus tells them that "Elijah has already come and they did not recognize him, but treated him as they pleased." "Then the disciples understood that Jesus was referring to John the Baptist."

     The first reading tells us about the vocation and deeds of the great prophet Elijah; he had a most extraordinary exit from this world, "taken up by a whirlwind of flames in a chariot borne by fiery horses."

     In the Transfiguration of Jesus, Peter, James and John witnessed his glory as God, saw him conversing with two great figures of the Old Law, Moses the lawgiver and Elijah the prophet, and heard the Father's witness, "This is my Son, the Beloved,

my Chosen One. Listen to him." (Lk 9: 35)

     In his mission, the Son of God has chosen and called very ordinary men as his key helpers, ten cowards and a traitor for the select Twelve, to continue his work of saving humankind. Their work had the assistance of the Helper, the Paraclete, and Christ's assurance of his help and presence, "You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church; and never will the powers of death overcome it." (Mt 16: 18) and "I am with you always until the end of this world." (Mt 28: 20)

     By our baptism into Christ, we share in that mission with the help promised by Christ for the success of the mission.

WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER INTENTIONS:

BIRTHDAY

     BEA C. VENTURA

     FRANCISCO H. SUAREZ JR.

     GEORGE U. YOUNG, JR.

     VIRGINIA HO GOTAMCO & JOVI HO GOTAMCO

IN MEMORIAM (†)

     JUANITA Q. ESTRADA

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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