A WORD FOR TODAY 14 DECEMBER 2019

A WORD FOR TODAY

ELIJAH AND JOHN THE BAPTIST WORKED FOR GOD: YOU CAN ALSO WORK FOR HIM

The first reading of today presents to us the prophet Elijah as a man who made himself available to the Lord and He made use of him as a vessel of honour among the people of Israel. He became a prophet known all over the land of Israel because of what the Lord did through him. He spoke the word of God that pierced the hearts of the people that listened to him and moved them to repentance._

The gospel reading on the other hand presents to us the conversation that Jesus had with his disciples as they were coming down from the mountain of transfiguration. They wanted to know if Elijah will come as they have expected before the coming of the Messiah. Jesus told them that Elijah had come, but they could not recognise him, instead, they treated him badly and in similar way they are going to treat the son of man.

Jesus' statement was never an affirmation of the believe in re-incarnation, because there is no re-incarnation after death, (cf Catechism of the Catholic Church no. 1013) rather, it is a reminder to the people that Elijah was created by God and was given a mission which he carried out and in the same way John the Baptist was also given a mission to prepare the way for the lord. Therefore, they both worked for God, because the spirit of the Lord was upon them. Elijah is not John the Baptist and John the Baptist is not Elijah, but they shared in the same vision of proclaiming the name of God for the conversion of sinners.

The people had a misconception about the Messiah and what He is coming to do. They were expecting a Messiah who will come with a blast and destroy everything that does not honour God, just like Elijah called down fire on the prophets of baal. This is not the way of the Messiah, rather, He will come with love and He will lay down His life as a sacrificial burnt offering for the salvation of man.

Since God has called us to come serve Him and work for Him as Elijah and John the Baptist did. We must first learn about our Lord Jesus Christ and what His mission is all about, so that when we go out to teach others we shall teach them the truth and our message will move them to conversion.

We must keep working for God as we wait for the second coming of the Messiah. We must show people through our words and action who Jesus is. We must make sacrifices of love so as to win souls for Christ through it. As we prepare for Christmas and as we expect the coming of Christ, we must watch and pray always and patiently keep doing good so that when the lord comes we shall be ready to welcome Him. Show more love, eschew bitterness, wickedness and hatred from your heart so that you will be the face of Christ to humanity.

Today we celebrate the memorial of saint John of the cross. He was a Carmelite priest who as a mystic, suffered much for the sake of Christ. He pioneered the reform of the Carmelite order and was misunderstood by many. We must learn from him never to give up or abandon God and our good work even when we face rejection and persecution in the hands of the people.

Good morning dearest one. Smile😊as you do your work and do have a wonderful weekend. May Jesus give you the grace to live and work for Him in this life as Elihah and John the Baptist did. Amen. And may the Almighty God bless you: the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Meditation: Sirach 48:1-4,9-11/Psalm 80:2,3,15-16,18-19/Matthew 17:10-13

Watch-Word: O God, bring us back; let your face shine on us, and we shall be saved.

You have something to offer humanity, just let the Spirit of the Lord guide you and you will be a vessel of honour for Him.

(Saturday of the Second Week of Advent, Year A)