December 14 - Saturday, 2nd Week of Advent

Theme: Prophets of Fire

Readings:
Sir 48:1-4, 9-11; Ps 80:2ac and 3b, 15-16, 18-19
Mt 17:10-13

Note: Today is also Feast St. John of the Cross - see also celebrations of saints

Introduction

In the Old Testament the prophet Elijah is the “prophet of fire,” a fiery, zealous personality who makes fire come down on the enemies of God. He wanted to prepare the hearts of the people to accept God.

In the New Testament the “prophet of fire”, the new Elijah, was John the Baptist. Full of zeal, he wanted to prepare the hearts of the people to accept Jesus as the saving Messiah. Who is calling us to conversion today and opening our hearts to make Christ alive in us? It is the Spirit of fire, who wants us to do with great zeal and love the work of Christ to bring the love and peace and justice of God in today’s world. Do we let the Spirit kindle that fire in us?

Opening Prayer

Lord our God,
let us never become indifferent
to the ardent message
which your Son speaks to us in the gospel
When we have become inattentive and uninvolved,
send us again prophets to wake us up
and to make us attentive again
to make your kingdom among us a reality
of love of you and of people,
of justice and serving love.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Scripture Readings

First Reading: Sir 48:1-4, 9-11

Then came the prophet Elijah like a fire, his words a burning torch.

He brought a famine on the people and in his zealous love had them reduced in number.

Speaking in the name of the Lord he closed the heavens, and on three occasions called down fire.

How marvelous you were, Elijah, in your wondrous deeds! Who could ever boast of being your equal?

You were taken up by a whirlwind of flames in a chariot drawn by fiery horses.

It was written that you should be the one to calm God's anger in the future before it broke out in fury, to turn the hearts of fathers to their sons and to restore the tribes of Jacob.

Happy are those who will see you and those who die in love, for we too shall live.

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 80:2ac and 3b, 15-16, 18-19

Gospel Reading: Mt 17:10-13

The disciples asked Jesus, "Why do the teachers of the Law say that Elijah must come first?" And Jesus answered, "So it is: first comes Elijah to set everything as it has to be. But I tell you, Elijah has already come and they did not recognize him, but treated him as they pleased. And they will also make the Son of Man suffer."

Then the disciples understood that Jesus was referring to John the Baptist.

(Commentary)

General Intercessions

–   That God may inspire among us prophets who in season and out of season wake us up from our complacency with ourselves and with the Church and the world of our day, we pray:

–   For men and women of integrity and courage, who are voices that speak out against injustice and the disregard of human dignity, we pray:

–   For prophets who dare us to be different in God’s ways and to take the pains to be constructive in building up a world of compassion and reconciliation, we pray:

Prayer over the Gifts

Our living and loving God,
bread and wine are the signs for us
how Jesus wanted to bring among us
your goodness and forgiveness,
even when people were not willing to listen
and nailed him to the cross.
Give us your Spirit of fire,
that we may not spare any effort
to bring about the new season
that Jesus came to bring among us:
a time of hope and peace and love.
Let Jesus be our Lord now and for ever.

Prayer after Communion

God of hope and of our future,
we thank you for giving us again Jesus
to strengthen us with his word and his body.
With Jesus among us,
let us not be afraid of committing ourselves
to bring about the new world
for which he laid down his life.
Let him make our love strong and lasting,
and fiery enough to take the risks
of facing contradiction and ridicule
for Jesus Christ our Lord.

Blessing

May there be fire in us, the fire of the Spirit that inspires us to love and to serve without measure, with the blessing of almighty God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

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Gospel Commentary (Saturday)

This week, the liturgical readings have been full of reminders that Jesus was rejected, not recognized; resisted. The same happened to John the Baptist. Through what happened to John, Jesus learned to be realistic about his own likely fate: "And they will also make the Son of Man suffer." Today's gospel shows that Jesus was not recognized by the very ones who were waiting for him, the teachers of religion, the ones who knew what to expect and who taught others. This is a challenge to us who are waiting and searching for God. God is always coming, but don't look up, don't look far away. Look lower and nearer. God is easy to overlook, easy to walk over.

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