The WORD today reminds me that I can do awesome things like Elijah as long
as I let God use me.
The
first reading shows us some awesome 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
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 do 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.
God is awesome. He 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.
How do I prepare for Christmas? How is my relationship
with God? Do I let God use me for his purpose and his glory? What prevents me
from fully allowing myself to be used by God?
May we always be ready and willing to be used by God in
his ways and for his purpose.
Father God,
Thank you for today. Thank
you for another day to live. Thank you for another weekend. 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. Use me like Elijah for
your kingdom and your glory. Amen.
Blessed Weekend!
In Christ,
-g-
December 14 2019
«
Memorial of Saint John of the Cross, Priest and Doctor
of the Church
Lectionary: 186
Lectionary: 186
Reading
1 SIR 48:1-4, 9-11
In
those days,
like a fire there appeared the prophet Elijah
whose words were as a flaming furnace.
Their staff of bread he shattered,
in his zeal he reduced them to straits;
By the Lord's word he shut up the heavens
and three times brought down fire.
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.
Blessed is he who shall have seen you
and who falls asleep in your friendship.
like a fire there appeared the prophet Elijah
whose words were as a flaming furnace.
Their staff of bread he shattered,
in his zeal he reduced them to straits;
By the Lord's word he shut up the heavens
and three times brought down fire.
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.
Blessed is he who shall have seen you
and who falls asleep in your friendship.
Responsorial
Psalm PS
80:2AC AND 3B, 15-16, 18-19
R.(4) Lord, make us turn to you; let
us see your face and we shall be saved.
O shepherd of Israel, hearken,
From your throne upon the cherubim, shine forth.
Rouse your power.
R. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
Once again, O LORD of hosts,
look down from heaven, and see;
Take care of this vine,
and protect what your right hand has planted
the son of man whom you yourself made strong.
R. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
May your help be with the man of your right hand,
with the son of man whom you yourself made strong.
Then we will no more withdraw from you;
give us new life, and we will call upon your name.
R. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
O shepherd of Israel, hearken,
From your throne upon the cherubim, shine forth.
Rouse your power.
R. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
Once again, O LORD of hosts,
look down from heaven, and see;
Take care of this vine,
and protect what your right hand has planted
the son of man whom you yourself made strong.
R. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
May your help be with the man of your right hand,
with the son of man whom you yourself made strong.
Then we will no more withdraw from you;
give us new life, and we will call upon your name.
R. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
AlleluiaLK
3:4, 6
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths:
All flesh shall see the salvation of God.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths:
All flesh shall see the salvation of God.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel MT
17:9A, 10-13
As
they were coming down from the mountain,
the disciples asked Jesus,
"Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?"
He said in reply, "Elijah will indeed come and restore all things;
but I tell you that Elijah has already come,
and they did not recognize him but did to him whatever they pleased.
So also will the Son of Man suffer at their hands."
Then the disciples understood
that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.
the disciples asked Jesus,
"Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?"
He said in reply, "Elijah will indeed come and restore all things;
but I tell you that Elijah has already come,
and they did not recognize him but did to him whatever they pleased.
So also will the Son of Man suffer at their hands."
Then the disciples understood
that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.
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