Do you recognize the Elijahs sent by the Lord, our God, into the world? They are here to reconcile fathers with sons and mothers with daughters. Their mission is to bring families together and lead them into the presence of God, our heavenly Father.
Are we also the Elijahs sent to do the same? Elijah was a mighty prophet, faithful and empowered to accomplish many great things for God. Are we not blessed in the same way? Have we not received the same gifts from on high?
Let us be clear: Jesus has empowered and sent us to bring deliverance, healing, mercy, peace, and joy. Let us be bold in this endeavor. Amen.
Saint Lucy, Virgin, Martyr pray for us…
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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, the 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.
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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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