Advent: Week 2: Saturday: Year B:

1^st Reading: Ecclesiasticus/Sir: 48: 1-4. 9-11: Elijah will come again.

Gospel: Matthew: 17: 10-13: Elijah has come already and they did not recognise him.

Jesus did not allow the three disciples Peter, James and John the brother of James to share their experience about the transfiguration of Jesus because it could not be understand by the people immediately. It was just incredible to grasp until after the resurrection. This charge to keep silent baffled the disciples because the scribes had always taught that Elijah was to come and proclaim the Messiah (cf. Mal: 4: 5). Even the disciples of Jesus did not understand the true meaning of Messiahship of Jesus so they asked such question. Jesus explained them clearly and said that John the Baptist was the prophet like Elijah who was to come. The people killed him; the Messiah too was to suffer at the hands of the people. God is there to strengthen Jesus and the disciples to suffer and to die for the kingdom of God.

I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am the one I claim to be, you will indeed die in your sins. (Jn 8: 24).

Thought: Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Believe in him is absolutely essential.

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