Saturday, December 13, 2003
2nd Week of Advent

1st Reading: Sir 48:1-4, 9-11
Gospel: Mt 17:10-13

As they were coming down the mountainside, the disciples then asked Jesus, "Why do the teachers of the Law say that Elijah must come first?" And Jesus answered, "So it is: first comes Elijah to set everything as it has to be. But I tell you, Elijah has already come and they did not recognize him, but treated him as they pleased. And they will also make the Son of Man suffer."

Then the disciples understood that Jesus was referring to John the Baptist.

Commentary

One notes the close identification here between Elijah and John the Baptist. What is important in this comparison is the status of these great men as God's prophets. Elijah is one of the famous prophets in the Old Testament. John the Baptist's role is no other than preparing the way of the Lord. True prophets are not predicting the future rather they prepare the way and help us discern the movements of God in history.

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