Our first reading from Sirach recounts the wonderful deeds of Elijah and the circumstances of his ascent into heaven. 2 Kings 2:11 describes it and in truth sounds more like a helicopter ride or a rocket ship. It awakens analogies to Greek mythology and in must be taken figuratively rather than the actual event. But what is important is that Elijah “ in times to come is to put an end to wrath before the day of the Lord, to turn back the hearts of fathers toward their sons, and to re-establish the tribes of Jacob.” Sirach 48:10.
Why Elijah? Just like all the other prophets sent to the chosen people of God, no one listened to him. He performed amazing miracle, but still the people did not listen.
It might help to why the church put this reading into our scripture reading for today by looking at another scripture. Malachi 3: 22-24
Remember the law of Moses my servant, whom I charged at Horeb with statutes and ordinances for all Israel. Now I am sending to you Elijah the prophet, Before the day of the LORD comes, the great and terrible day; He will turn the heart of fathers to their sons, and the heart of sons to their fathers, Lest I come and strike the land with utter destruction.
The Gospel in today’s readings comes directly after the Transfiguration. Here Jesus, Moses and Elijah appeared together. Jesus had already told the apostles, Peter, James and John who had witnessed the Transfiguration not to tell anyone about what they saw, but the apostles still had questions. The transfiguring of bodies was no more spectacular than the fiery chariot from 2 Kings. “ Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first? Jesus said in reply, Elijah will indeed come and restore all things. Here Jesus answers them when he said the new figurative Elijah, was John the Baptist who King Herod had beheaded.
Jesus entire life showed to connection with the Old and New Testament. What does this information lead us today? We today are the voice of Elijah. We are like John the Baptist the voice of God to a world that sometimes does not even recognize God, let alone Jesus as Savior. During this Advent season what are you and I doing to turn our world’s focus from cyber this or that or black this or that to the real reason for this season. We can be a voice in the wilderness proclaiming Jesus message of salvation.
We can still proclaim His message in the material world of Christmas. Personally, my wife and I got a late start in decorating for Christmas this year. My wife is not so much into presents but is into decorating. Our granddaughter who is eight will be away visiting her father this Christmas so there will be no little kids for Christmas. We take care of her before and after school during the year and while we will miss her, it is good she goes because she needs time with her dad. We have a nativity set that was painted and decorated by my wife’s mom over thirty years ago and is always the center of our celebration and decorating. Even though there will be no little ones this year. The important message is the Birth of Jesus and preparing for the light of Christ to come into the world. Our tree is full of ornaments from years past with pictures of children at various stages of their lives on these precious ornaments. Wonderful memories and more to come with God’s will.
We need this time with friends and families to energize ourselves, because just like Elijah and John the Baptist, we are God’s voice in Christmas 2016 and in the New Year 2017. People will listen. We are the Elijah of this generation.
God Bless
Readings: Sirach 48:1-4, 9-11;Psalm 80:2AC,3B, 15-16,18-19; Matthew 17:9A,10-13
