Articles

Prophets of fire

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, that is, to bring the love, peace and justice of God in today’s world. Do we let the Spirit kindle that fire in us?

Reading: Sirach 48:1-4,9-11

And now listen to this, family of Jacob, you who are called by the name Israel: Who got you started in the loins of Judah, you who use God’s name to back up your promises and pray to the God of Israel? Do you see what I’ve done? I’ve refined you, but not without fire. I’ve tested you like silver in the furnace of affliction. Out of myself, simply because of who I am, I do what I do. I have my reputation to keep up. I’m not playing second fiddle to either gods or people.

Gospel: Matthew 17:10-13

The disciples, meanwhile, were asking questions. “Why do the religion scholars say that Elijah has to come first?” Jesus answered, “Elijah does come and get everything ready. I’m telling you, Elijah has already come but they didn’t know him when they saw him. They treated him like dirt, the same way they are about to treat the Son of Man.” That’s when the disciples realized that all along he had been talking about John the Baptizer.

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 receptive again,
to make your kingdom among us a reality
For love of you and of people,
may we work for justice
and awaken others to love.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.