By Thamajoy Reang csc.
Readings: Sir 48: 1 – 4, 9 – 11b; Mt 17: 10 – 13
During a tabulated time in the history of Israel, the nation was scattered and had turned away from the Lord. They started worshiping Baal, and King Ahab had formed an alliance with Sidon by marrying their princes.
At that time, God sent Prophet Elijah to show Israel their evil ways and encourage them to return to the Lord. The first reading illustrates the purpose of Prophet Elijah in the lives of Israel and restore the tribes of Jacob. He foretells of the coming of the love, that is the Son of the Father.
In today’s gospel, we see that John the Baptist, the new Elijah came into this world by baptizing and preaching in the wilderness. He urged people to turn away from their sinful lives and return to the Lord.
But the people who had been waiting for the new Elijah who would be coming ahead of the Lord to prepare the way of the Lord did not recognise him. But Jesus sees the new Elijah in John, the Baptist as a forerunner, and tells his disciples that the new Elijah has already arrived to prepare the way.
There is wilderness within us that cries and calls us to return to the Lord from our sinful lives. There is wilderness within us that preaches and prepares our ways. Today, the readings call us to be aware of the wilderness within us and be ready to prepare the way of the Lord in our hearts.
As we are preparing ourselves to receive the new infant child in our hearts, let us be aware of our self-wilderness and be ready to receive the prince of peace in our spiritual homes.