CatholicJules.net

Had I the zeal of Elijah, everyday I would seek to reconcile the people with Lord their God. Instead I am but a broken being selfishly seeking my own comforts in the desires of the world. Have mercy on me Lord and transform me!

Heal my brokenness Lord, and forgive me. Help me bring Your love to those who still hold unforgiveness in their hearts. Set them free Lord from that bondage so that they may reconcile with those who have hurt them. Let your peace reign in our hearts as we prepare to celebrate Christmas. Amen

Christ be our light!

First reading
Ecclesiasticus 48:1-4,9-12

The prophet Elijah arose like a fire,
  his word flaring like a torch.
It was he who brought famine on the people,
  and who decimated them in his zeal.
By the word of the Lord, he shut up the heavens,
  he also, three times, brought down fire.
How glorious you were in your miracles, Elijah!
  Has anyone reason to boast as you have?
Taken up in the whirlwind of fire,
  in a chariot with fiery horses;
designated in the prophecies of doom
  to allay God’s wrath before the fury breaks,
to turn the hearts of fathers towards their children,
  and to restore the tribes of Jacob,
Happy shall they be who see you,
  and those who have fallen asleep in love.

Gospel
Matthew 17:10-13

As they came down from the mountain the disciples put this question to Jesus, ‘Why do the scribes say then that Elijah has to come first?’ ‘True;’ he replied ‘Elijah is to come to see that everything is once more as it should be; however, I tell you that Elijah has come already and they did not recognise him but treated him as they pleased; and the Son of Man will suffer similarly at their hands.’ The disciples understood then that he had been speaking of John the Baptist.

Don’t let hardness of heart be your downfall! Whom are you stubbornly against? And for whom? Are you stubbornly against your Creator? Why do you hold on to unforgiveness in your heart? Why do you hold on to the desires of the flesh? Why hold on to your prideful ways and thoughts? Why hold on to rage and revenge? Why do you gossip and bear false witness?

Let it go…. Let it go and come before Jesus, who waits ready to forgive, to heal and embrace you with His love. Who will change your heart from one of stone to flesh. He will fill you with peace and give you joy. Come to Him and He will give you rest.

Jesus I am Yours. Amen

First reading
Isaiah 48:17-19

Thus says the Lord, your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
I, the Lord, your God, teach you what is good for you,
I lead you in the way that you must go.
If only you had been alert to my commandments,
your happiness would have been like a river,
your integrity like the waves of the sea.
Your children would have been numbered like the sand,
your descendants as many as its grains.
Never would your name have been cut off or blotted out before me.

Gospel
Matthew 11:16-19

Jesus spoke to the crowds: ‘What description can I find for this generation? It is like children shouting to each other as they sit in the market place:
“We played the pipes for you,
and you wouldn’t dance;
we sang dirges,
and you wouldn’t be mourners.”
‘For John came, neither eating nor drinking, and they say, “He is possessed.” The Son of Man came, eating and drinking, and they say, “Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.” Yet wisdom has been proved right by her actions.’