Saturday in the Second Week of Advent, Dec.16, 2006

Scripture: Sirach 48:1-4,9-11. Psalm 80:2-3,15-16,18-19. Matthew 17:10-13

Today Jesus unravels the parable we listened to or read yesterday about the children playing without getting a response from those who were invited to join in their songs. (cf. Matthew 11:16-19). Jesus is answering the question of the disciples about Elijah appearing before the Messiah's coming. Malachai had predicted this about the role of the prophet Elijah (Malachai 3:22-23). Jesus is showing that his mission is seen in the appearance of John the Baptist who ushers in the coming of the Messiah. John has already been martyred as the text indicates,"They did with him what they pleased." Jesus, too, predicts his own death as the Son of Man. This shows us the complete humanity of Jesus who is able to suffer and to die. Then in our first reading we hear from Ben Sirach who describes Elijah the prophet in glowing terms. Jesus, of course, knew of this writing and its tradition, but goes beyond its encomium about Elijah by showing that John the Baptist will lay down his life for the Messiah's coming and that of the Kingdom of God. The Messiah is Jesus who has already come. In looking at our Psalm in the light of these two readings we are reminded to dance and sing the song of the children by responding to their invitation and by making a change in our way of thinking. This calls for our Advent metanoia or return to the Lord with all of our mind and heart. Only then do we know and accept the Son of Man as our Messiah who is a Suffering Servant of God. We also realize that John the Baptist is the new Elijah who layed down his life for the one was made flesh and lived among us. Amen.