12.13.13

Lectio:  Mt 17.9a, 10-13                                                                                                                            
Meditatio: “The disciples asked him, ‘Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first’? Mt 17.10

Oratio: O God, You know how fundamentalism, that is a literal interpretation of Scriptures, can mislead and lead us astray.    

I remember the Scribes of Jesus time, had interpreted the Scriptures that Elijah would come again to prepare the way for the Messiah; and since Elijah did not yet come, it became one of their reasons for rejecting Jesus as the Messiah. But Jesus made clear that the Scriptures were fulfilled with the coming of John the Baptist because he was a great prophet in the mold of Elijah and with the message of Elijah - to repent and the same work - to prepare the way of the Lord. This incident is also a reminder we should be careful of how we interpret Scripture and that fundamentalism is at times greatly flawed.

Grant that I may be grateful for John the Baptist and respond to his message and repent for that is why he came and that is what we must do if we wish the benefits of the Messiah’s coming to be ours.

I ask this and all things in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You
and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplatio: spend some time in silence and meditate on the selected passage and hear what
God is saying to you.

Operatio: reflect: "Elijah...first”: Elijah was the great prophet of old who called people to repent and who was expected to come again to prepare the way for the Messiah since Elijah did not die but ascended in a whirlwind to God and his return to prepare the way for the Messiah was expected by the Scribes and they expected a literal return and not a figurative return. In prayer seek the advice for the meaning of Scriptures when its plain meaning is not evident so that the Word of God may have the benefit for us that God intended.

Tomorrow's reading: Mt 11.2-11