GET THE POINT?
Saturday in the Third Week of Advent
My dear encountered couples:
There are many subjects interesting to discuss. They intrigue us and draw our attention. Is there a Loch Ness monster? Were the “Tsunami” in Indonesia, the powerful earthquakes in Japan and Bohol, the supertyphoon “Yolanda” in the Philippines signs signaling the end of the world? Are there vampires and ghosts? How about Big Foot? This one about when Elijah is going to return might be more sensible and realistic, I don’t know, but it really doesn’t make all that much difference. Whether Jesus meant that John the Baptist was really Elijah in a new body or merely that John preached in the spirit of Elijah, let us not miss the point. And what is that?
Let us listen to Sirach when he spoke about Elijah, “You are destined to come to put an end to wrath before the day of the Lord, to turn back the hearts of fathers toward their sons, and to re-establish the tribes of Jacob.” John tried this – to move the people to repentance for their sins and re-establish them in friendship with God. That was the important thing. That was and is the point. We are to get it and apply it.
Though it is entertaining to be involved in discussions like this one about Elijah, they can also be excuses for killing time and doing nothing. It is much more important for us during this Advent season to do our best to turn from sinful habits and draw closer to God in friendship - just like John taught.
Of course we are to do that all year round. But special seasons like Advent are to remind us and spur us on. Let us listen to John, become truly sorry for our sins, and let Jesus be born in us again.
