Tag Archives: elijah

Lent Day 12: No cross, no crown

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TODAY’S READINGS

Today’s Gospel (Mk 9:2-10) gives us one account of the Transfiguration and Jesus’ instruction afterwards:

As they were coming down from the mountain,
he charged them not to relate what they had seen to anyone,
except when the Son of Man had risen from the dead. (v. 9)

“Jesus’ transfiguration, as an anticipation of his resurrected glory, could not be understood apart from his dying and rising. The disciples might eagerly accept a glorified Jesus, but they were slow to understand a Jesus who must suffer and die on the way to glorification. Too much attention on the final outcome could hinder their coming to grips with the necessity of the cross for Jesus — and for them.” (Bringing the Gospel of Mark to Life, 220)

“The glorious transformation of his human nature, foreshadowed in the Transfiguration, cannot take place apart from his humiliation on the cross, nor can it be understood properly until the passion has taken place. He can become the exalted, risen Son of Man only by being first a dead man. Then his glory will be openly proclaimed to all. But this mystery eludes the understanding of the three disciples…” (The Gospel of Mark [Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture], 176)

I’m reminded of the pithy saying, “No cross, no crown” or in a longer version, “There is no Easter Sunday without Good Friday.” For Jesus to command his three closest apostles to keep quiet about what they had seen makes sense per the commentaries above (I bet they were bursting about this after Pentecost, though). But, for us, it seems to me there is no problem deeply considering this event (saying the Rosary you can’t avoid it — and who would want to! — since it is the fourth Luminous Mystery).

The hope of the resurrection to new life should be a tremendous encouragement to us. Jesus preceded us to heaven, and we have the hope to follow Him some day. But, Jesus told us that, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me” (Mt 16:26). He also said, “‘No slave is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you” (Jn 15:20). The good news is that if we remain steadfast in faith and bear our troubles with patience and love, we will surely here these words directed to us from the Lord: “Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world (Mt 25:34).”

So, it’s okay to look ahead to the potential reward as long as we do not lose sight of the premised slog to get there. Losing sight of the latter imperils attainment of the former.

Bp Barron’s Sunday Sermon (a deep dive into the Binding of Isaac)

My video post on today’s first reading and its connection to the Eucharist.

After the Transfiguration Christ tells apostles not to reveal this fact until after the Resurrection by Italian School

God bless.

Advent Day 14: John, Elijah, and Jesus

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The Gospel reading is from Mt 17:9a, 10-13. The first reading from Sirach (48:1-4, 9-11) prepares us for Jesus words by speaking of the great prophet Elijah. Undoubtedly, Jesus had this passage, and many other related passages, in mind when responding to the question from Peter, James, and John after they had just seen Jesus conversing with the prophet during the Transfiguration.

[T]he disciples asked Jesus,
“Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”
He said in reply, “Elijah will indeed come and restore all things;
but I tell you that Elijah has already come,
and they did not recognize him but did to him whatever they pleased. (vv. 9a, 10-12)

“‘In popular belief and scribal teaching Elijah was expected to return in some sense in the last days and prepare the way for the Lord (Mal 3:23-23; Sir 48:10). Since Peter, James, and John just saw Elijah speaking with Jesus, they wonder if that expectation has now been fulfilled. Jesus agrees with the popular belief saying, ‘Elijah will indeed come and restore all things,’ a reference to Elijah’s ministry of preparing the people for the Lord by calling them to repentance and mending kingship relationships wounded by sin (Mal 3:23-24). However, Jesus adds the contrasting phrase, ‘but I tell you.’ As in 5;22, these words denote a contrast in which Christ offers something in addition to what was taught previously. While Jesus endorses the scribal expectation of Elijah’s return, he adds that ‘Elijah has already come.’ In other words, the scribes and many other is Israel were righto look for Elijah’s return but, unfortunately, they have missed his coming. The great eschatological reappearance of Elijah has already taken place in the person and ministry of John the Baptist (11:14; 17:13; see 3:4). Like Elijah, John was a great prophet who called the people to repentance and was persecuted by a wicked king (see 14:3-12).” (The Gospel of Matthew [Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture], 219-220)

The first thing to comes to mind here is John the Baptist directly addressing whether or not he was Elijah returned in John chapter 1. John denies it. But does Jesus affirm it here? The always helpful Catholic Answers addresses this seeming conundrum. Also check out the brilliant Dr. John Bergsma who grapples with this same question while expounding on different Mass readings (particularly starting at 4:23 but I recommend listening to it all for further context and deeper insights).

For a refresher on Elijah’s exciting story, read 1 Kgs 17-19, 21 and 2 Kgs 1-2.

(The Responsorial Psalm reminds me of the St. Louis Jesuits song based on it, Save Us, O Lord. These men get substantial flak for their music from certain corners, but I very much appreciate at least some of their work. This song is one of my favorites of theirs.)

God bless.