Reflection for Saturday December 14 Memorial of Saint Ambrose, preist and doctor of the Church: 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:

Why is it that we don’t listen to the voice of God for us 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 rather listen to it because to listen and repent is the right course of action that we must always 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 followers of the Lord. 

Lest we forget, by virtue of our Baptism, we are the modern-day John. Therefore, we must call for repentance and conversion as well. For this call to be effective, we must do so with gentleness, mercy, and compassion. Of course, we must also be good role models because if we don’t live what we preach, our call for repentance will simply fall on deaf ears. 

It is obvious that Jesus is pertaining to John as the second coming of the prophet Elijah. But majority of the people did not recognize the call of John to renew their lives because they were busy with the things of this world. They have no time to listen to the messenger of God yet they created time to serve their own selfish interest.   

We have nothing to lose if we tread the way of John. Yes it will not be a walk in the park and there would be challenges as well. But if Christ is with us who will be against us? Nobody for we have Jesus at our backs silently supporting us. 

Oftentimes it may seem that Jesus is not there for us but He is always there. Even in the lowest points of our lives, the Lord is there. – Marino J. Dasmarinas