Matthew 9a, 17:10-13
Elijah Has Already Come
9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”
10 The disciples asked him, “Why then do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?”11 Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things. 12 But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.” 13 Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist.
So close to Christmas with its joyous celebration of the birth of Jesus and we read about the suffering and death of Jesus, words coming from his own mouth. Yet, so true, so necessary to hear and reflect on, especially these days when Christmas gift giving and ficticious characters such a Rudolph, Frosty, and the Grinch, to name a few, dominate so much of our "holiday" festivities...Yes, even the name Christmas has been replaced. As Christians, we need to return to the essence of Christmas, the birth of the Son of God, Jesus, who came to set us free from our sins and and set us on track to live a life of boundless love of and service to him and one another. Certainly we should be praying, "Come, Lord Jesus" and wishing each other "Merry Christmas" instead of "Happy Holidays."
Bro Rene
Dear Lord, there is much to do this day. Give us wisdom when we are filled with questions. Grant us a grateful heart when we feel discouraged. Open our eyes to the opportunities that await us. Steady our pace so that we can see you in the people and challenges that will come our way today. Let us be pure of spirit so your glory may guide our thinking and acting. Amen.
Rev. Herbert Yost, C.S.C.
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