SATURDAY: HOMILY FOR 2ND WEEK IN ADVENT YEAR B
THEME: THE ELIJAH IN JOHN THE BAPTIST.
BY: FR. KARABARI PAUL
“Elijah does come, and he is to restore all things; but I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not know him, but did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of man will suffer at their hands.”
In the passage of today (Matthew 17:10-13) which comes immediately after the transfiguration story, the disciples of Jesus asked Him, “Why then do the scribes of the law say that Elijah must come first?” And Jesus answered them, “Elijah comes and will restore all things. But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished.” For once, the teachers of the law were correct. Elijah was to appear before the Messiah. It was not the actual Elijah from the Old Testament, but it was Elijah in the spiritual sense.
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The angel appearing to Zachariah, John the Baptist’s father, told him that John would have the spirit of Elijah. Luke 1:16-17 “Many of the people of Israel will he bring back to the Lord their God. And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous-to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” God is referring to John the Baptist as Elijah! Let’s take a closer look at this:
Yes, John the Baptist was bold, and his spirit attracted many people to God’s kingdom. Just like Elijah was considered one of the greatest prophets of the Old Testament, John the Baptist is referred to by Jesus Himself as the greatest prophet. He said of him, “I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist” (Matt.11:11). Just like Elijah, John the Baptist turned the heart of his people back to God.
The important message of this passage is not that John the Baptist is referred to as Elijah, but that “they (the teachers of the law) did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished . . .” He was beheaded.
The same was true about Jesus, the Messiah. “In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.” Just as John was rejected by the teachers of the law, Jesus was also rejected by his people. And just as John was put to death by his people, Jesus was also going to be put to death by the teachers of the law.
Nothing is as bad as missing divine opportunities. And it is easy to miss them when we are spiritually insensitive. The mysteries of salvation are not coded in gold. They appear in most of the things we take for granted. Christians must pray for the grace to recognize the moments of salvation and divine visitations and to accept them when they present themselves in ordinary or extraordinary ways. God speaks in different ways, using different people and events. The things of God may not appear exactly the way we desire it to be. We pray that we will never miss the opportunity presented by our Elijah or treat him with disdain. GOD IS STILL ON THE THRONE. May God have mercy on us, heal our country, Nigeria, and bless our household always through Christ Our Lord Amen. Good morning.
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