Prophets Of Fire
Introduction
In the Old Testament the prophet Elijah is the “prophet of fire,” a fiery, zealous personality who makes fire come down on the enemies of God. He wanted to prepare the hearts of the people to accept God.
In the New Testament the “prophet of fire”, the new Elijah, was John the Baptist. Full of zeal, he wanted to prepare the hearts of the people to accept Jesus as the saving Messiah. Who is calling us to conversion today and opening our hearts to make Christ alive in us? It is the Spirit of fire, who wants us to do with great zeal and love the work of Christ to bring the love and peace and justice of God in today’s world. Do we let the Spirit kindle that fire in us?
1 Reading Sirach 48:1-4, 9-11
In those days,
like a fire there appeared the prophet Elijah
whose words were as a flaming furnace.
Their staff of bread he shattered,
in his zeal he reduced them to straits;
By the Lord’s word he shut up the heavens
and three times brought down fire.
How awesome are you, Elijah, in your wondrous deeds!
Whose glory is equal to yours?
You were taken aloft in a whirlwind of fire,
in a chariot with fiery horses.
You were destined, it is written, in time to come
to put an end to wrath before the day of the LORD,
To turn back the hearts of fathers toward their sons,
and to re-establish the tribes of Jacob.
Blessed is he who shall have seen you
and who falls asleep in your friendship.
Responsorial Psalm, PS 80:2ac and 3b, 15-16, 18-19
R. (4) Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
O shepherd of Israel, hearken,
From your throne upon the cherubim, shine forth.
Rouse your power.
R. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
Once again, O LORD of hosts,
look down from heaven, and see;
Take care of this vine,
and protect what your right hand has planted
the son of man whom you yourself made strong.
R. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
May your help be with the man of your right hand,
with the son of man whom you yourself made strong.
Then we will no more withdraw from you;
give us new life, and we will call upon your name.
R. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
Alleluia Luke 3:4, 6
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths:
All flesh shall see the salvation of God.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel Matthew 17:9a, 10-13
As they were coming down from the mountain,
the disciples asked Jesus,
“Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”
He said in reply, “Elijah will indeed come and restore all things;
but I tell you that Elijah has already come,
and they did not recognize him but did to him whatever they pleased.
So also will the Son of Man suffer at their hands.”
Then the disciples understood
that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.
Commentary
What a pity that a people who had been longing and praying for the coming of the Messiah for thousands of years fails to recognize him when he comes. And worse, kills him! They missed his messenger, who came announcing his arrival, as well! Though they deeply desired the Messiah, they missed every sign and pointer to his presence. Why did they fail? Perhaps they missed him because they knew only too well where to look. Sometimes being too certain in matters of faith can be a sign of spiritual glaucoma. A willingness to hold on to ambiguity and to entertain a spirituality of uncertainty keeps us searching for God in every nook and corner, and helps us find him when he shows up. As Fulton J. Sheen wrote, divinity is found where one least expects to find it. Better be prepared to expect it anywhere. And stop fixing him in a pigeonhole.
Blessing
May there be fire in us, the fire of the Spirit that inspires us to love and to serve without measure, with the blessing of almighty God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!