Lectionary # 187. Sat of 2nd week in Advent

Scripture: Lectionary # 187. Sat in 2nd week of Advent. Sirach
48:1-4,9-11.Psalm 80: 2-3,15-16,18-19. Matthew 17: 10-13:

Surprise! Ben Sira is a Hebrew sage and teacher whose first name was Simeon
in Hebrew texts or Jesus (Joshua) in Greek texts. We are surprised that a
text from this deutero-canonical work is cited in Advent. Most likely it is
due to the mention of Elijah's great accomplishment and how he was to usher
in the Day of the Lord. Jesus equates John the Baptist with this role of
Elijah in the New Testament Gospels. Both were associated with ushering in
the Messianic era and the Messiah. The passage for today ends with these
memorable words:"Blessed is he who shall have seen the Lord before he
dies." This makes us think not only of John the Baptist but of the person
who appears in the Temple when Mary is presenting the child Jesus there.
His hymn is used for our Night Prayer in the Divine Office of the Hours.
This man who yearns for the coming of the day of the Lord may be elderly.
His words however tell us what Ben Sira declared as one who is blessed:
Now, Lord, you can dismiss your servant in peace;
You have fulfilled your word.
For my eyes have witnessed your saving deed,
Displayed for all the peoples to see:
A revealing light for the Gentiles (Lumen Gentium), and
The glory of your people Israel. ( Luke 2:29-32).),

Jesus declares that the Baptist is Elijah-- the one who is the proclaimer
of the Advent of the Messiah and the witness to the Day of the Lord.
Jesus, of course, was speaking about John the Baptist having a similar role
in his time as did Elijah in his pre-exilic appearance. We recognize the
example of John the Baptist during this time of Advent and we celebrate him
at each Eucharist as we recall his pointing out the messiah Jesus, "Behold,
the Lamb of God. Behold the one who takes away the sin of the world."

Ben Sira thus helps us too to realize the Wisdom of God (O Antiphon) which
is identified with the Torah; the highest wisdom is divine and we are wise
when we accept and obey the will of God. Amen.