Greetings on this the Thursday of the Second Week of Advent
Readings: Isaiah 41:13-20; Psalm 145:1 and 9, 10-11, 12-13ab; Matthew 11:11-15
Summary
Are you still waiting for Elijah? Why?
The prophecy of Malachi states: 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 (Mal 3:23-24). Elijah was to bring healing from the people’s idolatry and the stop the evil acts of the kingdom (x-ref 1 Kngs 17:1ff).
Isaiah describes the situation slightly differently:
- The bare heights
- Desert
- Dry ground
- Wasteland.
And brings a vision of relief from these things using imagry of drought-ending renewal.
Jesus’ Testimony to John. Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. All the prophets and the law prophesied up to the time of John. And if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah, the one who is to come. (MT 11:11, 13-14).
Isaiah’s description of the dire circumstances. Do not fear, you worm Jacob, you maggot Israel; I will help you—oracle of the LORD; the Holy One of Israel is your redeemer (Isa 41:14).
Reflection
How we feel about things is often not a good indicator of how things really are. Isaiah describes Jacob and Israel as “worm” and “maggots”. He is describing the difficult situation the people live in. He also is describing the spiritual state of their souls. So a double edge of personal and social problems. I imagine the people did not see it that way. Even as Elijah has come, they still search for Elijah – thus delaying the reckoning of the actual state of affairs.
The Elite at the time of Jesus actually saw Jesus as the threat not the overlords of the Romans and the injustice of the monied class.
Despite all this, Elijah did come – in the person of John the Baptist – and herald the coming of the Messiah. The Holy One will redeem us from our squalid condition.
Personal Reflection
There is a joke that goes like this (it is just a joke).
One day a modern-day prophet approached the Holy Father and said, “The Lord is coming soon!” To which the Pope replied, “I hope not before Saturday’s football playoff.”
Humor often reveals truth (even silly examples).
Our humility in Week Two of Advent is for the reckoning of our true condition. The courage to say Yes to Jesus and the promises proclaimed by Malachi, Isaia, Elijah, and finally John are fulfilled.
Are you still waiting for Elijah?
Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121125.cfm
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry