December 15, 2018

Gospel: Mt 17:9a, 10-13
And as they came down the mountain, Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone what they had seen, until the Son of Man be raised from the dead. The disciples asked him, ”Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?” Jesus answered, ”So it is: first comes Elijah; and he will restore all things. But I tell you, Elijah has already come; and they did not recognize him; and they 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.

Reflections
God gives signs to show his active presence in the world. His presence is disruptive as he points the way to truthful and merciful living. Humanity is called to a higher form of consciousness by responding to God‘s reign of justice and mercy. John the Baptist is one disruptive person who pointed to Jesus and prepared the way for his coming. John fulfilled the essential task of all the prophets: to be signs pointing to Jesus Christ. John is the last and greatest prophet of the old covenant. The Jews expected that when the Messiah would come, Elijah would appear to announce his presence. John fills the role of Elijah and prepares the way for the coming of Jesus Christ by preaching a baptism of repentance and renewal. Are we reading the signs of God in our lives or we blind to the prophets pointing to the new covenant offered by Jesus to us? Are we watchful servants preparing for the Lord‘s coming by moving away from our former way of life and moving to a life of truth and love? Are you eager to follow the way of the prophets and are you prepared to meet the Lord Jesus when he returns in glory? The challenge of the prophets is freedom from complacency and from compromising with the ways of falsehood and lies and freedom to live in the way of the new covenant. Truth-telling and the exercise of mercy are the ways to prepare for the coming of Jesus.

© Copyright Bible Diary 2018