The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to expect the guidance of the Spirit and the love of Christ to have an impact on our life today.
The reading from the Book of Sirach praises Elijah.
* [48:11] Verse 11b is not extant in the Hebrew; it is represented in the Greek tradition by “for we too shall certainly live.” But this can hardly be the original reading. (Sirach, CHAPTER 48 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 80 is a prayer for Israel’s Restoration.
* [Psalm 80] A community lament in time of military defeat. Using the familiar image of Israel as a vineyard, the people complain that God has broken down the wall protecting the once splendid vine brought from Egypt (Ps 80:9–14). They pray that God will again turn to them and use the Davidic king to lead them to victory (Ps 80:15–19). (Psalms, PSALM 80, 2024)
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus addresses the Coming 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.
* [17:9] The vision: Matthew alone uses this word to describe the transfiguration. Until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead: only in the light of Jesus’ resurrection can the meaning of his life and mission be truly understood; until then no testimony to the vision will lead people to faith.
* [17:10] See notes on Mt 3:4; 16:14.
* [17:11–12] The preceding question and this answer may reflect later controversy with Jews who objected to the Christian claims for Jesus that Elijah had not yet come.
Edward Morse comments that in today’s gospel, our Lord connects Elijah to John the Baptist, as both prepared the way for future works of God in fulfillment of the Divine plan.
In our own day, we tend to long for better days in years gone past. But it is good to recall that those years gone past had their troubles, too. We are left to work out what is needful in our own times, witnessing and living out the truth as best we know how, and looking with confidence to a future that is in the hands of God, who has graciously called us to live as his own people. (Morse, 2024)
Don Schwager quotes “John fulfills Elijah's prophetic ministry,” by John Chrysostom, 547-407 A.D.
"They did not know this from the Scriptures, but the scribes used to tell them, and this saying was reported among the ignorant crowd, as also about Christ. Therefore the Samaritan woman also said, 'The Messiah is coming; when he comes, he will show us all things' (John 4:25). And they themselves asked John, 'Are you Elijah or the prophet?' (John 1:21). For this opinion was strong, as I said, both the one about Christ and the one about Elijah, but they did not interpret it as it should have been. For the Scriptures speak of two comings of Christ, both this one that has taken place and the future one. Paul spoke of these when he said, 'For the grace of God has appeared for the salvation of men, training us to renounce irreligion and worldly passions, and to live sober, upright and godly lives in this world' (Titus 2:11-12).
"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) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 17:9-13 comments that Advent is a time when we reflect on how God fulfilled his promise to save his people. We are used to focusing on the miracle of his Incarnation, but today’s Gospel forces us to look instead at the price Jesus will pay at the end of his life. However, we shouldn’t let this rob us of our joy or cast a shadow over our preparations. Instead, we can reflect on the startling way that God has chosen to save us. We can marvel that he loved us so deeply that he did not hesitate to share the lowliness of our humanity. That he became a man who could be wounded, suffer, and die. That he went so far as to suffer and die for us!
This is the surprising love of God! There is no limit to what Jesus will do—to what he has already done—to love you. He loved you so much that he entered into your humanity and suffered to save you! That means you can approach him with confidence. You can bring him whatever hardships you are bearing, whatever sins you are struggling with. He understands you; he is right there beside you in the midst of it. He is with you. He can take all your hurts into his heart and pour out his love upon you. He is your Hero, your Savior, and your Lord.
“I praise you, Lord Jesus, for coming to earth and suffering for me!” (Meditation on Matthew 17:9-13, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler traces the Book of Sirach to the time after Alexander the Great as part of an effort to present Jewish wisdom in contrast to Greek wisdom. Elijah is a unique figure in the history of the relationship of God to Israel. Friar Jude notes how Jesus points to John the Baptist as the figure who fulfills the expectation of the return of Elijah.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Author Shannon K. Evans who invites us to meditate on this passage from Julian of Norwich:
I it am, the might and the goodness of fatherhood.
I it am, the wisdom and the kindness of motherhood.
I it am, the light and the grace that is all blessed love.
I it am, the Trinity.
I it am, the Unity.
I it am, the high sovereign goodness of all manner of things.
I it am that makes you to love.
I it am that makes you to long.
I it am, the endless fulfilling of all true desires. [1] (Rohr, n.d.)
Evans writes that the phrase “I it am” can trip you up. But try to put yourself into a mystical frame of mind and stay with it. “When I read this passage, I am reminded of the limitlessness of the divine, the absolute improbability of confining the Holy One to a box of our making….”
We have a tendency to hold God in the past or to seek Divine assistance in anticipation of the future even as the Spirit invites us to live now in the Presence.
References
Matthew, CHAPTER 17 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 14, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/17?9
Meditation on Matthew 17:9-13. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved December 14, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/12/14/1151331/
Morse, E. (2024, December 14). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Retrieved December 14, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/121424.html
Psalms, PSALM 80. (2024, December 14). USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/80?2
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Expanding Our Images of God: Weekly Summary. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved December 14, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/expanding-our-images-of-god-weekly-summary/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Elijah Must First Come. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved December 14, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=dec14
Sirach, CHAPTER 48 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 14, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/sirach/48?1
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