The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/121314.cfm) reminds me how awesome the prophet Elihah is.
The first reading shows us some cool facts about Elijah:
How awesome are you, Elijah, in your wondrous deeds!
Whose glory is equal to yours?
You were taken aloft in a whirlwind of fire,
in a chariot with fiery horses.
You were destined, it is written, in time to come
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
Whose glory is equal to yours?
You were taken aloft in a whirlwind of fire,
in a chariot with fiery horses.
You were destined, it is written, in time to come
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
How interesting! How cool is that?! Elijah taken in a whirlwind of fire in a chariot with fiery horses! Wild! And how awesome Elijah’s role is, to re-establish people and prepare them for Christ’s coming. During that time, it was believed that Elijah would come back before the Messiah comes. And in the gospel, Jesus tells us that it’s true. However, he did not come in a way they wanted to or they expected him to. He came in the person of John the Baptist, who prepared the way for Jesus. By baptizing and proclaiming the message, he prepared the people for Christ’s coming. That’s how he re-established the people with God.
This is again an example that God’s ways are not always our ways. As Elijah came in the person of John the Baptist, the Messiah came in Jesus, a carpenter’s son born in a stable – not the mighty king and ruler they were expecting. It reminds us that even if things does not fit the way we expect them to be, God’s purpose will still be accomplished. We should not close our minds and expect God to behave in the way we expect him to be.
Another thing is that God uses us in ways we don’t expect, if only we allow him. We may not know the implications or effects of the things that we do for Him, but we still do it anyway. He needs us to. He used John to prepare the way for Christ, and after 2000 years, he still needs people who will do that. In our own little way, we can. As we prepare ourselves, we should also be open and let God use us, we should also do our part to help others prepare for Christ’s coming.
As we approach Christmas, preparation has been the theme for a number of days now because it is important. God is continuously inviting us. He’s just waiting for our reply.
Father God,
Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another reminder of how generous and rewarding you are. Thank you for showing me how awesome Elijah is, because it shows how generous you are in rewarding people who serve you. Lord, like Elijah, help me prepare for you. Help me prepare for Christmas. And help me take it one step further, to prepare not just myself, but in my own little way, help prepare it for others as well. May the way I live my life prepare others for you. Amen.
Blessed Weekend!
In Christ,
-g-
Ps
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