Prophetic role seen from a distance

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today use themes of prophecy and heroes to call us to alertness about our own relationship to God, others and creation. The Book of Sirach describes the heroism of the Prophet Elijah and how he succeeded for a time in restoring faith in and worship of the Lord.

* [47:25–48:11] The prophetic ministry of Elijah amid widespread idolatry is here described as a judgment by fire (48:1). Through his preaching, marvels, and acts of vengeance against God’s enemies, he succeeded for a time in restoring faith in and worship of the Lord (vv. 2–8). His mysterious departure from this life gave rise to the belief that he did not die but would return before the day of the Lord. Cf. Mal 3:23–24; Mt 17:9–13.

In the Gospel from Matthew, Jesus interprets the mission of the Baptist as the fulfillment of the expectation of the return of Elijah.

* [17:9–13] In response to the disciples’ question about the expected return of Elijah, Jesus interprets the mission of the Baptist as the fulfillment of that expectation. But that was not suspected by those who opposed and finally killed him, and Jesus predicts a similar fate for himself.

A statement from the Christian Research Institute on “Was John the Baptist Elijah?” Indicates that John was to fulfill the same role in his day that Elijah had.

Because the Jews had misunderstood the Elijah prophecy in Malachi, John instead applied to himself the parallel prophecy in Isaiah 40:3 (John 1:23). When Jesus said that John was “Elijah,” He meant the same thing, namely, that John was to fulfill the same role in his day that Elijah had, as specified in Malachi 4:5-6. That role, specifically, was to call the nation of Israel to repentance.

Mary Lee Brock prays for grace in Advent to recognize people in her life who could bring her closer to God.

Today I pray for the grace to recognize people in my life who could bring me closer to God.  I ask myself to explore times I treat someone as I please rather in the way they should be treated.  I reflect upon how I can be inspired by Elijah to share the good news of the birth of Jesus this Advent season.  I pray for the awareness to not let a busy schedule and long lists of obligations turn me away from God.

Don Schwager quotes John Chrysostom, 547-407 A.D., who explains that John the Baptist fulfills Elijah's prophetic ministry.

"Behold the first advent, and listen to how he declares the coming advent: 'Awaiting our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ' (Titus 2:13). The prophets also mention both advents; of the one that is second they say that Elijah will be the forerunner; John was forerunner of the first, John whom Christ also called by the name Elijah, not because he was Elijah but because he was fulfilling Elijah's ministry. For just as Elijah will be the forerunner of the second advent, so John was of the first. But the scribes, confusing these things and perverting the people, mentioned that coming alone, the second one, to the people, and said, 'If this is the Christ, Elijah ought to have come first.' That is why the disciples also say, 'Then why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?'" (excerpt from THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 57.1)

Friar Jude Winkler provides background on the motive of Sirach to parallel good Greek culture that lauded heroes. in the descriptions of Elijah. The role of the prophet to bring hearts of fathers to their sons applies to John and Elijah who are preparing the people for one who dies out of Love for us.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, summarizes self emptying by encouraging practice in finding the point of view of our connectedness.

Most of us do not understand this awareness because we are totally identified with our own passing thoughts, feelings, and compulsive patterns of perception. We have no proper distance from ourselves, which ironically would allow us to see our radical connectedness with everything else. Such radical connectedness is holiness. Some degree of detachment is absolutely necessary to get started spiritually. “Detachment, detachment, detachment,” taught Meister Eckhart. [2]

References

1. (n.d.). Sirach, chapter 47 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved December 16, 2017, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/sirach/47
2. (n.d.). Matthew, chapter 17 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved December 16, 2017, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/matthew/17:9
3. (2009, June 9). Was John the Baptist Elijah? - Christian Research Institute. Retrieved December 16, 2017, from http://www.equip.org/article/was-john-the-baptist-elijah/
4. (n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections .... Retrieved December 16, 2017, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
5. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved December 16, 2017, from http://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/
6. (n.d.). Fr. Jude's Daily Reflection – Companions of St. Anthony. Retrieved December 16, 2017, from http://www.companionsofstanthony.org/pray/reflections/
7. (n.d.). Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved December 16, 2017, from https://cac.org/