December 16, 2023, Saturday of the 2nd Week in Advent-B
Sirach 48:1-4, 9-11
Psalm 80
Matthew 17:9, 10-13
…like a fire there appeared the prophet Elijah whose words were as a flaming furnace. Sir. 48:1
Lord, you sent many prophets to instruct, warn, encourage, and prepare mankind for your coming. Hundreds of years before your birth, Elijah was the voice from the desert calling the people to repent and return to obedience to God. In your time, John the Baptist had the same mission; to alert the people to your imminent arrival and to prepare them with a message of repentance. Lord, you have sent many Elijahs and Johns into my life. I am blessed to have been taught and encouraged by many friends and family prophets of faith. They have helped me to recognize your presence. You have used ordinary people to witness to me all you have done for them and all you are doing for me. I thank you for each and every one of them. Am I an Elijah or John to someone? Do you call me to be a herald of your good news to a family member or friend? With your grace I can, by word or example, bring light to someone’s darkness, hope to another in despair and peace to a person in turmoil. I rely on you to help me be a prophet today. Amen