Breaking the Word

2^nd Week of Advent, Saturday – 11^th December 2021 — Gospel:  Mt 17,10-13

Disciples’ Understanding

After the transfiguration event, Jesus links John the Baptist to the return of Elijah, and in doing so, He links Himself with the Day of the Lord. Since Jesus’ answer to the disciples’ question confirms that Elijah has indeed returned and he has returned in the person of John the Baptist. When Jesus expressed that he, the Messiah, will suffer the same fate, it seems the disciples understood the meaning of Jesus’ words all at once, in a moment. Here, Jesus did not explicitly identify John the Baptist with Elijah, although He was speaking of John the Baptist when He spoke of Elijah having come. The disciples didn’t understand entirely, but their slowness didn’t keep Jesus from trying to help them along. He reminded them gently and clearly that the Son of Man would suffer. He had not come to establish a worldly kingdom but through His suffering, He will lead us to the kingdom of heaven that will have no end.

2^nd week of Advent, Friday – 10^th December 2021 — Gospel: Mt 11,16-19

Pay Heed to Wisdom

Jesus complains that his contemporaries have not listened and decided wisely. Evangelists’ final remark makes it clear, that God’s wisdom is demonstrated in the actions of John, and more especially in the actions of Jesus the Messiah. If they continue to reject the salvation being offered, they must know that they are rejecting God’s providential design. Thus these contemporaries, who are self-willed, inconsistent, and never satisfied, have chosen to stay outside God’s chosen people, for they lack genuine wisdom. Yet, in the face of this widespread rejection and apparent failure, God will see Jesus being justified. Apparently, here ‘wisdom’ refers to God’s plan of salvation; but the reference is also to Jesus, who is the incarnation and embodiment of God’s wisdom. For He is God’s emissary sent to reveal God’s ways. To reject Him is to reject God (10,33). His deeds disclose his identity to those few (9,37) who can discern it (11,2-6). Certainly those who listen to and pay heed to wisdom will find life and favour from the Lord (Prov 8,32-9,6).