Saturday of the 2nd week of Advent
Sirach 48: 1-4.9-11b Mathew 17:10-13
Theme: Lord, open our eyes
In the gospel reading of today, the disciples wanted to know why the Scribes are saying that Elijah must come first, and Jesus told them that Elijah is here already. Interestingly, it is very possible that there are so many things we are still expecting and looking forward to seeing and we do not know that they are already with us. Just like the Scribes in the gospel reading of today, it is possible that our spiritual eye is closed, and we cannot see. No wonder Jesus told his disciples, happy are the eyes that see what you see and the ear that hear what you hear. In view of this, I think the readings today is an invitation for all of us to build a bond of friendship with the Divine that will help to open our spiritual eye to see, just like the disciples of Jesus.
This is an invitation we should all embrace and begin to make honest effort to improve our relationship with God. This is because the closer we get to God, the better our relationship with him and the better children of God we will be. We all desire to be good friends of God, that is why we must do all within our power to build a good relationship with God, that will help us to become true ambassadors for Christ wherever we find ourselves in life. This invitation is directed to us as individuals, so we must make the necessary effort if we truly desire to be friends of Christ. Building the wonderful friendship that we look forward to is not an easy one, but it is worth all the stress and struggle, that is why we must respond to this wonderful invitation presented to us today.
In the 1st reading of today, we see how the Book of Sirach acknowledges the wonderful work that was done by the prophet Elijah, with the help of God. This is some of the things that happen in our lives as children of God, when we build that wonderful bond of friendship with the Divine. He will open our eyes to see what others cannot see and use us as a worthy instrument to accomplish his wonderful works in our world. So, for this to happen in our lives as individuals, we must begin by building that needed friendship with God. It is never too late to accept the invitation of God, you can begin it today. May the Lord bless all your efforts in the name of the father and of the son and of the holy spirit, Amen. Peace be with you.