Daily Catholic Mass Readings for December 16, 2017
First Reading: Sirach 48.1-4, 9-11
1And the prophet Elijah arose like a fire, and his word burned like a torch2He brought a famine upon them, and those who provoked him in their envy became few. For they could not bear the precepts of the Lord3By the word of the Lord, he closed the heavens, and he brought down fire from heaven three times4In this way, Elijah was magnified in his wondrous works. So who can say that he is similar to you in glory9He was received into a whirlwind of fire, into a swift chariot with fiery horses10He is written in the judgments of the times, so as to lessen the wrath of the Lord, to reconcile the heart of the father to the son, and to restore the tribes of Jacob11Blessed are those who saw you, and who were adorned with your friendship
Psalm 80
1Unto the end. For those who will be changed. The testimony of Asaph. A Psalm. The One who reigns over Israel: Be attentive. For you lead Joseph like a sheep. The One who sits upon the cherubim: Shine fort2in the presence of Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh. Awaken your power and draw near, so as to accomplish our salvation3Convert us, O God. And reveal your face, and we will be saved4O Lord, God of hosts, how long will you be angry over the prayer of your servant5How long will you feed us the bread of tears, and give us to drink a full measure of tears6You have set us as a contradiction to our neighbors. And our enemies have ridiculed us7O God of hosts, convert us. And reveal your face, and we will be saved8You have transferred a vineyard from Egypt. You have cast out the Gentiles, and planted it9You were the leader of the journey in its sight. You planted its roots, and it filled the earth10Its shadow covered the hills, and its branches covered the cedars of God11It extended its new branches even to the sea, and its new seedlings even to the river12So then, why have you destroyed its walls, so that all those who pass by the way gather its grapes13The wild boar of the forest has trampled it, and a single wild beast has laid waste to it14Turn back, O God of hosts. Look down from heaven, and see, and visit this vineyard15and complete what your right hand has planted, and look upon the son of man, whom you have confirmed for yourself16Whatever has been set on fire and dug under will perish at the rebuke of your countenance17Let your hand be over the man on your right, and over the son of man, whom you have confirmed for yourself18For we do not depart from you, and you will revive us. And we will invoke your name19O Lord, God of hosts, convert us. And reveal your face, and we will be saved
Gospel: Matthew 17.10-13
10And his disciples questioned him, saying, "Why then do the scribes say that it is necessary for Elijah to arrive first?11But in response, he said to them: "Elijah, indeed, shall arrive and restore all things12But I say to you, that Elijah has already arrived, and they did not recognize him, but they did whatever they wanted to him. So also shall the Son of man suffer from them.13Then the disciples understood that he had spoken to them about John the Baptist
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the figure of Elijah, the prophet, and his role in preparing the way for the coming of the Lord. In the first reading from Sirach, we hear of Elijah’s fiery spirit and his mission to restore balance and reconcile the people with God. He was a man of great power and zeal, called by God to bring His people back to faithfulness. The reading highlights Elijah’s dramatic departure in a whirlwind of fire, a sign of his unique role in God’s plan. This passage reminds us of the importance of prophets in the history of salvation—those who call God’s people to repentance and renewal.
In the Gospel, Jesus speaks to His disciples about Elijah, explaining that Elijah has already come in the person of John the Baptist. The disciples were confused because they expected Elijah to precede the Messiah, as the scribes taught. Jesus clarifies that Elijah’s spirit was present in John the Baptist, who prepared the way for the Lord by calling people to repentance. However, just as Elijah and John the Baptist faced rejection and suffering, so too would Jesus suffer at the hands of those who refused to listen. This passage challenges us to recognize the ways in which God works through unexpected figures and circumstances to fulfill His plan.
These readings call us to reflect on our own openness to God’s messengers in our lives. Just as Elijah and John the Baptist were sent to call the people to repentance, we too are called to live lives of conversion and to help others do the same. We must not be like those who failed to recognize Elijah or John, missing the opportunity to respond to God’s grace. Instead, we should approach each day with humility and discernment, seeking to hear God’s voice in the unexpected places and people He sends into our lives. Let us ask for the grace to be attentive to His presence and to follow His will with courage and faith.