Are we a thin-skinned people so afraid of being criticized or judged for our zeal for the Lord? How then can we call it zeal? For zeal for Lord can only come from our deep-seated relationship with Him! We believe with all our hearts that He is the Lord of lords, King of kings and His peace, love and mercy reigns in our hearts.
Therefore, how can we not be bold to open the heavens for His people, to minister to them, to bind up wounds and turn the hearts of fathers towards their children. For shall we not declare to the Lord, “Let me be Your ‘Elijah’! Let me be Your ‘John the Baptist’! For You and for Your people, all for Your Glory! Amen
________
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.
CatholicJules.net 