SATURDAY: HOMILY FOR 2ND WEEK IN ADVENT – YEAR B
THEME: You’ll Put Your Eye Out!
BY: Deacon Bill Frere
Basilica of Annunciation, Nazareth
Gospel – Matthew 17:9a, 10-13
Finally it’s time to revisit some of my favorite Christmas movies – Elf, Christmas in Connecticut, The Santa Clause, and most importantly A Christmas Story. I mean, who doesn’t love watching Ralphie for 24 hours straight on TBS! I think it’s a reminder to us all how much our moms have always been prophets of doom, issuing words of warning that things will get bad if you aren’t careful. You don’t want a BB gun; you’ll put your eye out! And then, of course, bad things happen just as she predicted!
ALSO RECOMMENDED: SATURDAY: HOMILY FOR 2ND WEEK IN ADVENT YEAR B
No prophet is ever really fully appreciated! They tend to be a major irritant, a thorn in the side of people reminding them of their faults and failings. They are either ignored, bullied, and even exiled or put to death for their warnings. We hear about prophets in today’s Gospel. Jesus, Peter, James and John are coming down from Mount Tabor after the Transfiguration. The disciples have just seen Moses and Elijah and they have questions! Is Elijah still coming? When? The Jewish belief was that Elijah’s return would herald the end times and the coming of the Messiah.
Jesus’ response is clear! Elijah has already returned – in the person of John the Baptist! And if Elijah has already come, then the Messiah is right here with you. There are times in our lives when we are all called to be a prophet like Elijah or John the Baptist, calling others to change their life and prepare for the coming of the Messiah! May God give us the faith and the courage to recognize the presence of the Messiah in our lives!
FOR SIMILAR HOMILY, CLICK HERE >>