MY daily reflection and prayer:
Saturday, Desember 12, 2015
The Second Week of Advent
Dear my friends,
Here is the Gospel for us today according to St. Matthew 17:9a,10-13
And as they were coming down the mountain the disciples asked him, “Then why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?” Jesus replied, “Elijah does come, and he is to restore all things; but I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not know him, but did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of man will suffer at their hands.” Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.
This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.
***
ONCE again in the Gospel today we read how Jesus refers to John the Baptist as the one whose role is to prepare us for his coming. John the Baptist is one sign of God who points to Jesus and prepares the way for his coming. He fulfills the essential task of all the prophets that is to be fingers pointing to Jesus Christ.
The Jews expected that when the Messiah would come, Elijah would appear to announce his presence. John fills the role of Elijah and prepares the way for the coming of Jesus Christ by preaching a baptism of repentance and renewal. Unfortunately, the Jews fail to recognize Elijah’s presence in the person of John the Baptist, whose only power is that of the Spirit of God, calling all people to conversion of heart in order to receive the Christ.
We too, how many times in our lives do we fail to recognize the presence of Jesus Christ in our lives because we are seeking something other than Christ’s promises to his followers? In the Perpetual Adoration of the Eucharist Christ while worshipping Jesus Christ, we learn to recognize his presence in our daily life.
Let’s pray: Lord Jesus Christ, you do not offer an easy path of comfort and consolations. We must be watchful servants to prepare for your coming again by turning away from sin and from everything that would keep us from pursuing your will. Free us from complacency and from compromising with the ways of sin and worldliness that we may be wholeheartedly devoted to you and to your kingdom now and forever. Amen.
Kredit foto: Ilustrasi (Ist)
