Daily Catholic Mass Readings for December 16, 2023
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
In today's readings, we encounter the figure of Elijah, a prophet whose fiery spirit and powerful deeds are celebrated in the Book of Sirach. Elijah's ministry was marked by his unwavering commitment to God's will, even in the face of great adversity. He brought both judgment and restoration, calling the people back to fidelity. His dramatic departure in a whirlwind of fire, as noted in Sirach, underscores the extraordinary nature of his mission. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus sheds light on Elijah's role in the larger story of salvation. When the disciples ask about Elijah's expected return, Jesus reveals that Elijah has already come in the person of John the Baptist. Just as Elijah prepared the way for the Lord in the Old Testament, John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus in the New Testament. However, just as Elijah was not recognized by many in his time, John the Baptist was also misunderstood and rejected by those who failed to see the significance of his mission.
These readings invite us to reflect on the theme of preparation and recognition. Elijah and John the Baptist were both called to be heralds of God's plan, but their messages were often met with resistance. This reminds us that God's ways are not always easy to discern, and His messengers may come to us in unexpected forms. In our own lives, we are called to be attentive to the ways in which God speaks to us through others, even when they challenge us or disrupt our comfortable routines. Just as Elijah and John the Baptist were instruments of God's transformation, we too are called to be instruments of His grace in the world.
As we go about our daily lives, let us ask ourselves: Am I open to hearing God's voice in unexpected places? Am I willing to be transformed by His word? The stories of Elijah and John the Baptist teach us that preparation for the Lord's coming is not just a historical event but an ongoing process. May we, like these prophets, have the courage to embrace God's will, even when it calls us out of our comfort zones. Let us pray for the grace to recognize and follow God's plan, trusting that He is always working to bring about His kingdom in our hearts and in the world.