Reflection for December 10 Saturday of the Second Week of Advent: Matthew 17:9a, 10-13

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.

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Reflection:

Do you have the courage to advice a person to repent? 

The call of Jesus for repentance continuous until this very hour, he speaks to us through people around us and through our conscience. We should not ignore it, we should listen to it because to listen and repent is the right course of action that we must take. 

Like John who prepared the way for Jesus, we too should become the modern day John. Thus we should also gently call for repentance to those within our sphere of environment. This is for the reason that this is a call of duty for us Christians. 

Lest we forget that by virtue of our Baptism we also become a modern-day John. Therefore, we have to call for repentance and conversion as well. For this call to be effective we have to do this with gentleness, with mercy and compassion. 

It is obvious that Jesus was pertaining to John as the second coming of the prophet Elijah. But majority of the people then did not listen to John’s call because they were busy with the things of this world. They had no time to listen to the messenger of God. 

You have nothing to lose if you tread the way of John. Yes, it will not be a walk in the park and there will be challenges as well. But if Christ is with you who will be against you? Nobody for you have Jesus at your back silently supporting you. – Marino J. Dasmarinas