Three questions for us to ponder on this day. One, who was Elijah? Two, who is Elijah for you? And lastly, can you be Elijah for others?
The first reading tells us about father Elijah, he was a powerful prophet of the Lord our God. Who spoke God’s truth and turned infidelity into faithfulness, who turned hearts of fathers towards their children and most importantly of all, reconciled the children of God our Father to Him. Yes indeed God’s glory shone through him in the miracles he performed!
So then in this day and age have you not seen ‘Elijah’? One who speaks with conviction the Word of God and exudes integrity. Who brings about healing, peace and the joy of reconciliation with God our Heavenly Father, through His Son our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. I can name at least three godly men who were ‘Elijah’ for me who led me into deeper faith, greater conversion. What about you?
Now the question remains, can you be Elijah for others? What is you answer?
Yes Lord I can! For you have spoken this words to me, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you” Ps 32:8 Amen Alleluia!
Father Elijah pray for us……
First reading
Ecclesiasticus 48:1-4,9-12
The prophet Elijah will come again
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
Elijah has come already and they did not recognise him
As they came down from the mountain the disciples put this question to Jesus, ‘Why do the scribes say 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.
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