Reflection on the Gospel of the Saturday In The Second Week Of Advent |
Matthew 17: 10-13 |
The event of today’s Gospel takes place immediately after the transfiguration of Jesus on Mount Tabor. There, Jesus was joined by Elijah and Moses, and they discussed about the coming passion of the Christ, in Jerusalem. The 3 apostles who had accompanied Jesus were confused by seeing these 2 prophets, which prompted them to ask the question to Jesus in todays gospel passage and Jesus clarifies their confusion. Let’s see why did they ask the question on Elijah.
Elijah and Moses were two great prophets who brought transformation in the history of Israel. As said by God, Moses died in the land of Moab and no one knows his burial place (Deut 34:6) and Elijah ascended in a whirlwind into heaven (2Kings 2:11). Thus, the general public and Scribes assumed that the ascended Elijah will come again before the restoration of the life of Israel. As generation passed on, the long awaited prophet Elijah did not appear. When the apostles saw Elijah on Mount Tabor, they were confused and misunderstood the presence and significance of Elijah. They assumed that Elijah was yet to come into the world, and then the Messiah would come. To clarify this doubt, Jesus explains the mission of Elijah and identifies John the Baptist as the Elijah who has already come and gone…
Both the Prophets, Elijah and John the Baptist did great work in preaching repentance and reformation to the people and exhorting everyone to open themselves to God. Thus both of helped the people to change their lives for the better.
The question we can ask today is, “Do I listen to the prophetic call to repent and prepare myself to welcome the Saviour into my Life, anew, everyday?”
