“Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”
Matthew 17:10
“Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” The disciples want to better understand the sign of the arrival of the Messiah. All of us desire greater certainty. We want to know that our needs will be met, that our loved ones will be safe, that life is worth living. The disciples were faced with these same concerns. And so, they anxiously awaited the coming of the Messiah, the one who would meet their needs, who would protect them and their loved ones from oppression, and who would help them to live in peace. Perhaps this Jesus could be that man? If only they had a sign. But Jesus reminds them, and us, that the problem is one of awareness. Through the Mystery of the Incarnation, the Word took flesh in the womb of an unknown woman from Nazareth and was born in obscurity. So often we fail to see how the Lord is present in the ordinary circumstances of our lives, just as many failed to recognize him in his time. We ask for the grace of greater awareness, so that we may recognize the presence of Christ this Christmas and every day of our lives.
This Advent Season, how am I seeking to grow in greater awareness of the presence of Christ in my life?
We pray for all those who struggle with faith, that the Lord may give them the grace to recognize him and experience his love.
Today’s Reflection is by:
Fr. Ralph D'Elia
Did you know...
Fr. Ralph D’Elia was ordained a priest of the Diocese of St. Petersburg in 2019. He is currently assigned as the parochial vicar of the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle in St. Petersburg. Previously Fr. Ralph studied Theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, with a specialization in Moral Theology.
