Saturday December 16, 2023: Gone before we knew them

Today’s Readings

Elijah being carried to heaven in a whirlwind of fire

My Father fought in World War II. He served in the Seabees, or the naval construction battalion of the United States Navy. I think this is why he loved fishing and being out on the water so much. He fought on the islands of Saipan and Tinian in the South Pacific. He also received honors because of his marksmanship. He loved hunting as one of his post war hobbies. Now, you might say that it looks like I spent a lot of time talking to my Father to find out all these things about his military service. And you would be wrong. I only found out about his war history because, after he died, I went to the Military Personal Records Center in St. Louis, Missouri. Where I found volumes of info on his service to the country. I never asked him about his time in the military. After all, he was just my Dad. Nothing special. He was there to serve ME. Right?

I was never really a big fan of Pope Benedict when he served his time as the leader of the Church. I think maybe it was because Pope John Paul II was, well, Pope John Paul II. A giant. And I think we knew he was a living saint. As was Mother Theresa. But Benedict? He was just a placeholder, wasn’t he? How wrong was I? It wasn’t until after his death that I learned that he was a staunch defender of Catholic teachings. He stressed traditional values in the face of growing secularism. He promoted the revival of the Traditional Latin Mass and the strengthening of the relationship between art and the Catholic Church. He set Church priority and direction. We just finished studying his Apostolic Exhortation, Sacramentum Caritatis on the Eucharist, in our Be Formed group. No, not a placeholder in the least.

Gregor Mendel. The 19th century scientist and friar is now considered the Father of Genetics due to his research on plants and animals. But during his lifetime his findings were largely dismissed by his contemporaries. It wasn’t until after his death that researchers revisited his discoveries and writings, laying the foundation for the field of genetics.

Why do we sometimes ignore greatness when it is in our midst? The great prophets of the Old Testament were mostly ridiculed and dismissed as being crazy or unpatriotic. Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel are now seen as major influences on the Jewish faith and foretellers of the coming of Christ. But not in their day. In today’s first reading from Sirach, we read about the prophet Elijah. Elijah was known to have defeated the pagan god baal by calling down fire from heaven. He raised from the dead the son of the widow, Zarephath (1 Kings Chapter 17). But he was condemned by the queen, Jezebel, to death. Causing Elijah to flee into the desert. It is here that God confronts him as to why he is hiding and tells Elijah to choose a successor. God basically fires Elijah in favor of his student Elisha. It is only centuries later that the Rabbis insert Elijah into the ceremony of the Passover meal as a redeemer for the Jewish people. Jews even today open the door and leave a cup of wine for Elijah during the Passover Seder.

Jesus tells His apostles that, in fact, Elijah has come in the person of John the Baptist. But no one, including the disciples, recognized him for who he was. The one to proclaim the coming of the Messiah. It was not until after his death did Jesus’ followers make the connection. And, of course, Jesus Himself was obviously persecuted and killed for who He claimed to be and the threat He posed to the authorities. His followers today number almost 3 billion (trillions, I would guess, if you considered the numbers of people that have followed him over the millennia).

Who is it today that may not be seen for who they truly are? Someone who can call for repentance from sins while still showing gentleness, compassion and mercy. Who today can point the way to Christ and reveal the path to eternal life? I think you may know where I am going with this. It is you and I. We have been assigned by Christ, by our knowledge and relationship of Jesus, to spread the Gospel. We are not, and will not, be popular for doing so. Even within our own families. We are ridiculed by popular culture for our stances against abortion, gay marriage, and the gender identity craze. But, in the end (and I mean THE end), we will stand victorious with Christ and the truth will be revealed to ALL. And I hope my Dad will proudly be standing there with me. No doubt in his navy blues.

About the Author

Hello! My name is John Ciribassi. I live in Carol Stream, IL in the USA. My wife Elise and I are parishioners at Corpus Christi Catholic Church. We have two adult daughters. One lives in Senegal, West Africa with her husband and her 3 sons. The other teaches Anthropology at the University of Oslo, Norway. We also have a home in Mainesburg, Pa in the North Central part of Pennsylvania. My wife and I are both retired veterinarians, and my specialty is in animal behavior. I attended college and veterinary school in Illinois, where I met my wife who is from the Chicago area, and the rest is history! My hobbies include Racquetball, Pickleball, Off Road Motorcycle Riding, Hiking and Camping. I continue to enjoy the opportunity to offer what little insight I have on the scriptures. But I have always felt that the scriptures can speak for themselves. My job is just to shine a little light on them for people who maybe don't have the time to look into the readings deeply. I hope you enjoy and find value in my writings. I continue to be grateful for this opportunity.

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15 Comments

  1. Thanks Mr C. This is a wake up call for all of us to recognize the goodness and efforts of all that surround us. I think that we are too often distracted by living in our “ME WORLD”. Jesus calls it out in today’s Gospel. Lets take a hint…look around. Peace with you my brother.

  2. Your reflections are always thoughtful. Thank you. Jesus taught us to share the Gospel through our actions of mercy and compassion. Providing love, guidance and mercy with humility to those suffering abortion issues, gender identity and same sex attraction is what Jesus wants us to do.

  3. Thank you John. The end of your reflection brought tears to my eyes because my grandfather served in the Navy during WWII in on the Asian theatre. He was also a humble and saintly man at the end of his life when I knew him best. Your last statement gave me the most wonderful image to ponder. Thank you and have a blessed Advent. God go with us all.

  4. Thank you John. As always good relatable material. Question: “Elijah is to come to see that everything is once more as it should be; however, I tell you that Elijah has come already and they did not recognise him”. This sounds so much like reincarnation. When reading the Bible how can we know what to take literally and when interpretation is needed? Any suggestions???

  5. Your reflection is beautifully written. I enjoy reading your thoughts and explanations on today’s Godspell. My father also served during World War II in the Navy as a Seabee. I too wished I had more conversations with him about this time in his life! I think this is a reminder to all of us to not let time pass in a fleeting moment.

  6. LOVE your Saturday reflections, but THIS one is one of your best. Good words to ponder all day. Thank you !!

  7. JME
    All I can say to answer your question about literal meaning in the Bible is to focus on the New Testament in general and the Gospel specifically. Jesus I think let’s us know when to take His message at face value. He will precede with Amen, or even more when He doubles down with Amen, Amen, I say to you. Or He speaks straight with the Apostles to explain a parable. Or, like in today’s Gospel, where He says directly that John the Baptist IS Elijah. We also have the Magisterium of the Church to help us follow the Scriptures. I also follow a few commentaries each day. USCCB, Father Burke Masters from the Diocese of Joliet, Illinois and ACM. I also like listening to Father Dave Swantek from St Martha’s parish in Point Pleasant, New Jersey (he does a mass on YouTube each week).

  8. Great reflection John!!
    This is a very heartwarming story. We just sometimes don’t realize the people/gifts we enjoy until they’re gone, Tragic!
    Let’s all sharpen our senses with and towards each other. Mark “G”

  9. John, I have been reading your thoughtful and inspiring posts for years. And was touched by your call to show “gentleness, compassion and mercy.” This statement felt at contradictory with your reference to the “gender identity craze.” Let us show compassion and love to one another – as you say – “Who is it today that may not be seen for who they truly are?” I pray we all show love and compassion to all. Thank you for listening.

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